History Of Freemasonry In Ohio

From 1791 to 1912

by W. M. Cunningham and John G. Reeves

THE HISTORY OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE
OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE STATE
OF OHIO
From 1892 To 1912
INCLUSIVE

By W. M. CUNNINGHAM, M. A.,
Past Grand Master F.& A M., P. G. H. P. of Royal Arch
Masons, P. G. M. of R. and S. Masters, and
S. G. I. G. 33° Grand Historian.

VOLUME 3

Part I

Copyright, 1914 By J. H. Bromwell Grand Secretary Cincinnati, Ohio

FORWARD

To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio:

This volume closes the History of the Grand Lodge from its organization in 1808 to and including the Annual Communication of 1912. Volume I, prepared and edited by M.·. W.·. William M. Cunningham, covered the period from its organization in 1808 to 1844, inclusive, and volumes II and III, prepared by and under the supervision of the present Committee, the period from 1845 to 1912, inclusive; volume II from 1845 to 1891, and volume III from 1892 to 1912, and including an Addenda, containing reference tables, statistics, and other valuable information for the Craft.

Portraits of all the Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of Ohio from its organization until 1912, inclusive, were secured and are inserted in the History, except the following, which could not be obtained, although every effort was made to do so, viz.: Chester Griswold, 1818; William J. Irvin, 1825; Samuel Wheeler, 1826; John M. Goodenow, 1827; John Satterwaite, 1831, and A. H. Battin, 1872.

To facilitate the work the Committee, at the request of the Chairman, designated M.·. W.·. Brother W. A. Belt to prepare the indexes for these two volumes, and he has carefully and skillfully performed that tedious and important duty.

The Committee and this Grand Lodge suffered a great loss in the death of M.·. W.·. Brother Leander Burdick, who departed this life on the first day of January, A. D. 1913.

Brother Burdick took a great interest in the History, and by reason of his long continued and active service in the Grand Lodge was well qualified to and did render valuable advice and assistance to the Chairman of the Committee in its preparation. The compilation of this work was practically completed and received his approval before his death. His loss was severely felt and regretted, not only by this Committee, but by every member of this Grand Lodge who had been favored by coming in contact with the benign influence of his upright, sterling qualities and high standard as a man and a Mason.

Space will not permit an extended eulogy, but reference is made to the history of his administration as Grand Master, and the valuable services he rendered the Grand Lodge and the Craft in this Jurisdiction, as recorded in this History and the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge.

At the 1913 Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge, held October 22d, 1913, the Grand Master announced the appointment of M.·. W.·. Brother O. P. Sperra to fill the vacancy in this Committee caused by the death of M.·. W.·. Brother Leander Burdick.

The Chairman desires to acknowledge and tender to the other members of the Committee his thanks for the valuable assistance and advice they so cheerfully rendered him in the compilation and preparation of the history; and to specially express his appreciation of the efficient services of R.·. W.·. Brother J. H. Bromwell and M.·. W.·. Brother W. A. Belt in furnishing data, correcting proof, preparing, compiling, and publishing of the work.

The Brethren will readily appreciate the difficulty experienced by the Chairman in condensing within the limits of two volumes the important acts and proceedings of this Grand Lodge, covering a period of sixty-eight of it's Annual Communications, and detailed in several thousand pages of its printed proceedings.

Many items had to be omitted, others condensed and summarized, leaving to the Masonic Student desiring the details recourse to the printed proceedings, which should be in every Lodge library.

If the perusal of this History induces a number of the Craft to read and study the glorious record of our Grand Lodge as recorded in it annual proceedings, including the history of Freemasonry in the World, as detailed in the annual reports of our Foreign Correspondence Committee, it will have accomplished its purpose, and your Committee feel its labors have not been in vain.

Respectfully submitted,
John G. Reeves,
J. H. Bromwell,
W. A. Belt,
George D. Copeland,
Leander Burdick,
O. P. Sperra,
Committee

HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN OHIO FROM A. D. 1791

VOL. III

HISTORY OF THE GRAND LODGE

FROM 1892 TO 1912

1892

M.·. W.·. LEVI C. GOODALE, GRAND MASTER

Grand Lodge convened in the city hall, Springfield, Wednesday, October 19, A. D. 1892, with Grand Master Levi C. Goodale in the Chair, and all the Grand Officers present except R.·. W.·. Bro. W. F. Baldwin, Senior Grand Warden, and R.·. W.·. Bro. L. F. VanCleve, Grand Chaplain, both of whom had died since the last Annual Grand Communication; and R.·. W.·. Bro. Jewett Palmer, Grand Marshal, unavoidably detained at home. The following Past Grand Officers were present: Past Grand Masters R. C. Lemmon, Wm. M. Cunningham, C. C. Kiefer, S. S. Williams, C. A. Woodward and L. Burdick; and Past D. G. Masters J. L'H. Long and W. J. Akers and the representatives of 488 Lodges.

The Grand Master read his address, calling attention to the death of Our Grand Chaplain, Rev. LaFayette VanClove, who died March 2, 1892, and who served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge from 1877 to the date of his death, in a similar position in the Grand Chapter of Ohio and as Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, K. T., for twenty-four consecutive years. A Special Communication of the Grand Lodge was held at Milford, Ohio, March 6, 1892, for the purpose of performing the funeral obsequies according to Masonic usage, over his remains. A great number of Lodges, Chapters, and Commanderies were present, and the ceremonies took place from the church in which he officiated as pastor previous to his death. The proceedings will be found On pages 3 to 6, of the Grand Lodge proceedings.

Attention was called, also, to the death of our R.·. W.·. Senior Grand Warden W. F. Baldwin, who died April 3, 1892, a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge being held at the Masonic Temple, Mount Vernon, Ohio, April 12, A. D. 1892, for the purpose of conducting his funeral ceremonies according to Masonic usage, an account of the proceedings being recorded in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge, pages 7 and 8.

Dispensations were granted for the following new Lodges:
Roseville at Roseville, Muskingum County
Trinity at Bucyrus, Crawford County
Linwood at Linwood, Hamilton County

The craft laid the corner stones of a number of public buildings this year.

Speaking of the "District Lecturers" the Grand Master says: "The time has come, in my opinion, when this authority should be recognized by conferring upon them, at least, the privilege of membership in the Grand Lodge. They should have a place of honor in our meetings, and be clothed with appropriate collars and jewels."

During the past year over four hundred questions were asked, nearly all of which could have been answered by the Code and former decisions, but only twelve are reported as not covered by the Code or former decisions, the last of which relates to the Order of the Eastern Star.

He decides under the legislation and decisions of the Grand Lodge and former Grand Masters to decline to permit the use of anterooms to Lodge Halls, etc., to be used by this organization for reception or banquet purposes. He says, "While agreeing with my predecessors that this order is not Masonic, and that meetings of the order should not be held in Lodge rooms, I regret that fidelity to the rules of the Grand Lodge compelled me to this decision. I believe that the policy of denying the use of Lodge and anterooms to this organization is unwise. * * * It is no more than the proper demand of the law of compensation that the wives and daughters of Masons should be permitted to enjoy in part the social opportunities which follow membership in a Masonic Lodge."

He calls attention to the requests for recognition from the Grand Lodges of Switzerland, (Alpena), of Mexico, Japan and Italy, and refers the same to the Foreign Correspondence Committee for investigation and report.

Calls attention to the claim of Chas. H. Lander, that at the time of the trouble at Worthington, he was a member of a Lodge in West Virginia, and loyal to this Grand Lodge, and requests that the same receive proper attention.

Reports on the litigation of the Grand Lodge, that the cases at Cleveland had been argued and submitted to Judge Lamson in September, 1890, but no decision had been rendered yet. The cases at Bucyrus were prepared for trial, but a few days before they were reached the plaintiff dismissed them. The Columbus cases had been decided by Judge Evans in favor of the Grand Lodge, appealed by the plaintiffs, Hershiser et al. to the Circuit Court of Franklin County, which sustained the demurrers of the Grand Lodge to the third amended petition following the decision of Judge Evans that the state courts had no jurisdiction to determine mere questions of membership in Masonic bodies.

In October, 1891, the Grand Lodge of Kentucky adopted a resolution inviting the several Grand Lodges to send delegates to a Fraternal Congress to be held at the Masonic Temple, Chicago, Ills., in August, 1893. A number of Grand Lodges had already appointed delegates, and the matter was submitted as to whether we should not do likewise.

MASONIC HOME

"The report of the committee will show that $104,000.00 has been subscribed for the work. This afternoon the corner stone of this edifice will be laid, and ere many months Ohio will have a home for those of the craft who need shelter or the comforts of a home; and the Masons of Ohio will be enrolled on the list of those jurisdictions which are making Masonic relief practical." A list of the Grand Lodges which have established homes, with the approximate cost of each, is given.

After careful investigation authorized the removal of Bloomfield Lodge No.422, from Sparta, Morrow County, to Centerburg, Knox County, which was approved by the Grand Lodge.

The following Lodges, chartered at the last communication, had been duly instituted and constituted:

York Lodge, at Columbus, by M.·. W.·. P. G. M. S. S. Williams; North Baltimore Lodge, at North Baltimore, by W. Jr. G. D. J. W. Chamberlin; Weston Lodge, at Weston, by R.·. W.·. D. G. M. Allen Andrews; Golden Rule Lodge, at Chicago Junction, by M.·. W.·. P. G. M. S. Stacker Williams. A number of Masonic Halls had been dedicated during the year.

Receiving information that the Senior Warden elect of Brooklyn Lodge No.454 was an avowed active Cernean, he wired the Installing Officer to require each Officer elect, before being installed, to declare in open Lodge that he is not now a member of any organization which had been declared to be clandestine or un-masonic. The Senior Warden and Secretary refused to comply and were not installed. After correspondence, finding the report true, he declared the offices of Senior Warden and Secretary vacant, and ordered a new election, requiring the Brothers elect to make a like declaration, which was complied with.

Arrested the charter and took up the effects of Battin Lodge No.487 and sent same to the Grand Secretary, except the Bible which on request was left with the Brethren of the Lodge.

The Lodge room of Gibson Lodge, with its effects, was again destroyed by fire, and a dispensation issued until this session permitting them to work.

In the matter of Brother Whitehurst of Dayton: he burned all the books in his possession and made declaration he would not circulate any more, whereupon proceedings against him were dismissed.

Reported that in compliance with the resolution adopted at the last session of the Grand Lodge, (page 49, proceedings 1891), the Committee on Ritual had prepared and submitted to him a written copy, which he had approved and promulgated on September 1, and had the same in his custody for proper use and preservation, under the direction of the Grand Lodge.

IRREGULAR MASONS

"The action of the seceders at Worthington last year, and the course pursued toward them by this Grand Lodge, has attracted the attention of other jurisdictions. The action of this Grand Lodge has been invariably sustained. One of the outgrowths of the Worthington disaffection was Franklin Lodge in Columbus; and having information that the Officers of this organization were claiming their members could visit in regular Lodges in this state, and that some were attempting to so visit, in order to prevent such visitation the Grand Master issued and mailed to each Lodge an edict calling their attention to these facts and instructing them as follows:

"Now, therefore, it is ordered, and you are hereby commanded to exact from every visitor to your Lodge, without exception, (and taken in the usual form of oath from visiting brethren), the following declaration, to wit:

"'I hereon declare on my Masonic honor, and in all truth and soberness, that I am a member in good standing of a Lodge of Masons recognized by the Grand Lodge of Ohio as regular, and that I am not a member of any organization or society which has been declared by the Grand Lodge of Ohio to be bogus, irregular, illegitimate, or un-masonic.'

"And any visitor failing to make such declaration must be denied admission to any Lodge room.
"It should be the imperative duty of every loyal Mason throughout the state to discountenance these impostors upon every occasion.

MASON AT SIGHT

General Asa S. Bushnell, of Springfield, though not a member of the order, was one of the most enthusiastic and liberal contributors and workers in the cause of the Masonic Home; and at the earnest request of the members of the craft in Springfield and elsewhere, on the evening of October 18, A. D. 1892, the Grand Master in due form made him a Mason at sight.

Recommends that in view of the long and faithful services as Grand Secretary and his declining health, a salary be voted to Bro. John D. Caldwell.

The Grand Treasurer's report shows a balance in his hands of $22,331.85 general fund, and of $428.50 charity fund.

Charters were issued for the following new Lodges:
Trinity, No.556, at Bucyrus, Crawford County
Omega, No.564, at Defiance, Defiance County
Negley, No.565, at Negley, Columbiana County
Roseville, No.566, at Roseville, Muskingum County
Linwood, No.567, at Linwood, Hamilton County

Dispensation was granted for a new Lodge, viz: National, at Barberton, Summit County

The committee reported approving the decisions of the Grand Master, his action in regard to Bro. Whitehurst, that of the Senior Warden and Secretary of Brooklyn Lodge, and his edict with reference to clandestine Masonry, and the report was adopted by the Grand Lodge.

The Grand Master announced that the Grand Lodge would convene at 2 o'clock p. m. for the purpose of laying the corner stone of the Masonic Home with appropriate Masonic ceremonies.

THE OHIO MASONIC HOME

Promptly at 2 o'clock p. m., Wednesday, October 19, A. D. 1892, pursuant to announcement, the Grand Lodge reassembled for the purpose of laying with appropriate ceremonies, and according to ancient usage, the corner stone of the Masonic Home.

The procession was formed at the public square in Springfield. The first division was composed of seventeen Commanderies of Knights Templars---with over fifteen hundred Sir Knights in line and thirteen bands; and the second division of forty-two Lodges, with over two thousand Master Masons in line and five bands; and a large number of carriages; and special trains were run at short intervals to convey visitors to the grounds.

Arriving at the grounds, the corner stone was laid according to ancient Masonic usage, and Bro. Barton Smith, R.·. W.·. Grand Orator, delivered an address. The full ceremonies of this important event will be found recorded on pages 56 to 70 of the printed proceedings of the Grand Lodge.

A Lodge of Sorrow was held at the city hall on the evening of October 19, at which appropriate addresses were delivered on the lives and services of our late Senior Grand Warden, W. F. Baldwin; our late Grand Chaplain, Rev. Bro. L. F. VanCleve, and a tribute to the memory of the five hundred and forty-nine Master Masons of this jurisdiction, who had been summoned to the Celestial Lodge above during the past year.

The Committee on Necrology reported and the testimonials were approved and ordered printed in the proceedings.

M.·. W.·. Bro. J Ross Robertson, Past Grand Master of Masons in Canada, was introduced, received and welcomed with Grand Honors, and escorted to a seat in the East.

The Board of Trustees of the Masonic Home made a detailed and very satisfactory report showing that there had been received:

Cash donation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 36,860.16
Subscriptions unpaid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47,192.50
Value of grounds (approximate) . . . . . . . . .20,000.00
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$104,052.66
That there had been expended so far . . . . . . 2,760.82
Leaving a balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$101,281.84

and the trustees and the committee make a fraternal appeal to the Lodges and members to take an active interest in securing the balance of the funds necessary to complete and furnish the Home.

The Grand Master appointed M.·. W.·. Bros. L. Burdick and J. M. Stull trustees of the Masonic Home for the term ending December 31, 1894, and M.·. W.·. Bro. C. C. Kiefer, and R.·. W.·. Bro. J. H. Bromwell for the term ending December 31, 1895, which appointments were approved by the Grand Lodge.

The committee to whom was referred the part of the Grand Master's address relating to the Order of the Eastern Star reported and recommended the following to be added to Section 79 of the Code.

"Or organizations known and designated as Chapters of the Eastern Star, when composed entirely of Masons known to be loyal to the Grand Lodge and its Officers, and of the wives and daughters of such Masons, may, with the consent of the Grand Master and by unanimous consent of the members of all Masonic bodies occupying Masonic halls, be permitted to use such Masonic halls for festival and ceremonial purposes."

This amendment not receiving unanimous consent was laid over to the next Annual Communication for final action.

The committee to whom was referred the Dortion of the Grand Master's address relating to the Emeritus Grand Secretary R.·. W.·. Bro. John D. Caldwell, reported in favor of allowing him a salary of $500 a year during his natural life, which was adopted.

Brother Allen Andrews was elected M.·. W.·. Grand Master; Bro. Carroll F. Clapp, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master; Bro. William B. Melish, R.·. W.·. Senior Grand Warden; Bro. Barton Smith, R.·. W.·. Junior Grand Warden, and Bros. Charles Brown and J. H. Bromwell re-elected Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary, respectively, and they and the appointive Grand Officers were duly installed.

Cleveland was selected as the place, and Wednesday, October 18, A. D. 1893, the time for holding the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.

Brother E. L. Lybarger called attention to the successful administration of M.·. W.·. Grand Master Bro. Levi C. Goodale, and moved that in testimony of the appreciation of the Grand Lodge of the business like management and zeal of Brother Goodale, a Past Grand Master's jewel be secured and presented to him; which was unanimously adopted.

On motion of Bro. Barton Smith the sum of one hundred dollars was donated to Trinity Lodge located at Bucyrus.

The report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, reviewing the proceedings of sixty-three Grand Lodges, and covering 298 pages, is printed in the proceedings.

A good portrait of M.·. W.·. Grand Master Levi C. Goodale faces the title page of the proceedings.

The Committee on Masonic History, through its chairman, M.·. W.·. S. Stacker Williams, reported progress and asked further time which was, on motion, granted.

1893

M.·. W.·. ALLEN ANDREWS, GRAND MASTER

Grand Lodge convened in Case Hall, Cleveland, Wednesday, October 18, A. D. 1893, with Grand Master Allen Andrews, in the Chair, all the Grand Officers in their stations, and Past Grand Masters C. A. Woodward, R. C. Lemmon, Wm. M. Cunningham, C. C. Kiefer, S. S. Williams, L. Burdick, L. C. Goodale, J. M. Goodspeed; Past Deputy Grand Masters, C. M. Godfrey, W. J. Akers, J. L'H. Long, and Emeritus Grand Secretary John D. Caldwell present, and the representatives of 473 Lodges in attendance.

The Grand Master read his address congratulating the Grand Lodge on the universal, most cordial and fraternal relations existing with our sister Grand Lodges in America, and most of the Grand Lodges of foreign nations in the world.

On May 23, he visited the Grand Lodge of Indiana at its annual session, and was most cordially received and welcomed, and was impressed with the zeal, earnestness, and business-like manner characterizing the proceedings.

He, with Bros. R. C. Lemmon, B. D. Babcock, and S. S. Williams, as representatives of this Grand Lodge, attended the Masonic Congress held at the Masonic Temple, Chicago, Illinois, August 14, 1893, and participated in the proceedings. Twenty-three Grand Lodges were represented, including Manitoba and two from Canada "The Congress was a remarkable gathering of eminent Masons, the largest of its kind ever held in the history of our Fraternity. It had no power or inclination to organize or suggest a General Grand Lodge, for such a body is not desired by Ancient Craft Masonry. It had no power to legislate for the Grand Lodges, or even to recommend conclusions to them." However, the representatives discussed a number of important questions and formulated conclusions for the use and information of the craft--among which the following are of interest:

SOVEREIGNLY OF GRAND LODGES

"The conclusion of the Congress is that a Grand Lodge duly organized in a state or other autonomous territory, is rightfully possessed of absolute sovereignty therein."

THE PREROGATIVE OF GRAND MASTERS

"That the dispensing power recognized in the old regulations as residing in the person and office of the Grand Master, has been so generally exercised by that officer, from the organization of Masonry on the Grand Lodge system down to the present time, that its existence can not be successfully denied. But that there are no dispensing powers so residing that may not be limited or wholly denied by the Grand Lodge, save such as inhere in that office under the sanction of the ancient landmarks."

THE CREED OF A MASON

"An unequivocal belief and trust in God is the fundamental principle which characterizes Masonry as defined by the Charges of a Freemason, and without which the institution can not be identified as Masonry."

NON-AFFILIATES

"That every Mason ought to be a member of some regular Lodge, attend its meetings, and share its burdens."

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

"That absolute competency to conform literally to all the requirements of the ceremonies of the several degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry, fulfills the requirements of physical perfection in a candidate for the privileges of Freemasonry, as set forth in the ancient charges."

The proceedings of this Masonic Congress were printed in pamphlet form and generally distributed, and furnishes much valuable information on various subjects of interest to the craft.

Brother Monroe C. Crawford, Grand Master of Illinois, was President; Bro. J. L. Powers of Mississippi, Secretary, and Bro. S. Stacker Williams of Ohio, one of the Vice-Presidents.

The Grand Master answered a large number of questions relating to Masonic law and jurisprudence, and reports fifteen decisions which he thought ought to pass the scrutiny of the Jurisprudence Committee, the last of which gives a history and construction of the legislation of the Grand Lodge on the subject of intoxicating liquors; and decides that since the passage of what is known as the VanCleve resolution, making it a Masonic offense to engage in the traffic of intoxicating liquors to be drank where sold, it is the law of Masonry in this state, that to traffic in intoxicating liquors to be drank on the premises, or for purposes other than medicinal and mechanical uses, is a Masonic offense and any Brother violating this rule is guilty of un-masonic conduct, and is a proper subject for Masonic discipline; which decisions were referred to the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence and on their report the Grand Lodge approved all of said decisions.

CLANDESTINE MASONRY

On this subject the Grand Master reports the efforts of the clandestine so-called Grand Lodge, and the five subordinate Lodges and their members to gain a footing in this state, and their reckless attempts to deceive and induce persons to join their illegitimate bodies, and among other things says:

"The position taken by the Fraternity in Ohio and the measures adopted to suppress clandestine organizations claiming to be Masonic, were wise and effective. * * *

"The Cerneau bodies have melted away, and, with perhaps a single exception, have become extinct. The clandestine and illegal Grand Lodge which pretended to organize at Worthington, in 1891, according to best information, started five unlawful Subordinate Lodges, one each at Worthington, Coshocton and Bucyrus, and two at Columbus. These Lodges are aimless, lifeless and fruitless, except the two at Columbus, styled Franklin and Columbian, which have a membership, and continue to hold meetings. They solicit candidates and accept as members persons rejected by regular Lodges, and persons having but one eye, one arm, one leg, or other physical or moral imperfections, disqualifying them from membership in regular Lodges. Attempts were made to establish clandestine Lodges elsewhere in the state, but were frustrated by diligent Brethren who made known the character of these illegal organizations. The method is to make up a class of men desirous of Masonry, and pretend to them that they are about to organize a new Lodge, and that all who join in the beginning can obtain the degrees for $10.00.

"The attempt to organize a rebellion against this Grand Lodge, and plant clandestine bodies in this state, has not only failed of recognition, but has encountered the just condemnation of all the Grand Lodges in the world in fraternal correspondence with us. This is a source of satisfaction to us, and a new guarantee of the perpetuity of our institutions."

About forty of the members of Franklin and Columbian Lodges requested a conference with the Grand Master and proposed to renounce and dissolve these clandestine bodies, claiming to have been deceived into joining what they believed to be regular Lodges, and requesting him to, in some way, heal them, and organize them into a lawful Lodge; but the Grand Master informed them he had no power to heal them in that manner, and their proper course was to renounce and withdraw from their present affiliation, and apply regularly for admission to a lawful Lodge, which a number of them did.

There has been little change in the litigation against the Grand Lodge by the Cerneaus. They have been beaten in every trial, and have abandoned all their cases except those in Columbus and Cleveland. The latter has not yet been brought to trial. In the two cases in Columbus they were beaten in both the Common Pleas and Circuit Courts, and have abandoned one case and taken the other to the Supreme Court, where it is now pending.

The courts have held in all these cases, that the controversy is not a subject matter of civil jurisprudence, to be decided in secular courts, but that it is a Masonic question, to be settled by the authorities of our Order, and that the civil courts of the land have no power to interfere, the very thing we have contended for, and the decision we desire.

Since this case has been pending in the Supreme Court, eight of the plaintiffs, about one-fourth of the whole number, who were formerly members in good standing in Goodale Lodge No.372, expressed a desire to renounce Cerneauism and clandestine Masonry, and to be restored to their former place in the Lodge, but the Grand Master held that they must first withdraw from the law suit against the Grand Lodge, that we could not receive any one who would greet us with one hand, and carry on a warfare against us with the other, and on June 23, 1893, by leave of court these eight withdrew as plaintiffs from the case and four more have moved for leave to withdraw, and still others desire to withdraw and renounce Cerneauism.

The Grand Master arrested the charter of Paulding Lodge No.502, and the effects were forwarded to the Grand Secretary, on account of dissension among its members engendered by four or five brethren who, for some unknown reason, had for the past two years acted together to destroy the harmony and prosperity of the Lodge, and his action was unanimously approved by the Grand Lodge.

The Grand Master constituted the following chartered at the last session of the Grand Lodge:

November 12, 1892, Roseville No.566, at Roseville, Muskingum County; November 26, 1892, Omega No.564, at Defiance, Defiance County; and issued special proxies to the following Brothers who constituted the following Lodges: December 8, 1892, No.565, at Negley, by Bro. L. L. Truesdale; 10, 1892, Trinity No.556, at Bucyrus, John Blyth; Linwood No.567, at Linwood, Hamilton County, by Bro. L. C. Goodale.

The Grand Master dedicated the following Masonic buildings:

February 13, 1893, Hall of York Lodge 563 at Columbus; June 27, 1893, Hall of Racine Lodge 461 at Racine; October 4, 1893, Masonic Temple at Mansfield.

And the following were dedicated by proxy:

February 18, 1893, Hall of Ely Lodge 424 by Bro. A. E. Merrill; May 5, 1893, Hall of Tuscan Lodge 342 by Bro. C. E. Haman.

On January 18, 1893, at the meeting of McMillan Lodge No.141, at Cincinnati, the Past Grand Master's jewel voted to Past Grand Master Levi C. Goodale at the last Communication of this Grand Lodge, was presented to and received by him in a response in which he expressed his high appreciation of the honor and his devotion to the principles of the Order.

W. Bro. J. W. Chamberlin, on June 9, 1893, under special proxy, laid the corner stone of the New Central High School building at Tiffin.

Reports a large number of visitations for the inspection of the work, social occasions, installing officers, etc., among which was his visit to Sanford L. Collins Lodge No.396, at Toledo, when the M. M. degree was conferred by the first officers of the Lodge. These veterans who, twenty-five years ago, started this Lodge on its useful career, rendered the work, if not with the accuracy measured by the revised ritual, certainly with zeal and impressiveness.

Announces the death of R. F. Sir William Thomas Walker, Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, Knights Templars, and a number of distinguished Brethren from other Grand Jurisdictions.

The Grand Treasurer submitted his report showing a balance on hand October 14, 1893, of $26,330.30 in the general fund and $428.50 in the charity fund; total, $26,758.80; net increase during the year, $3,998.46.

The Grand Secretary's report shows: Present membership, 38,089; net gain for the year, 1,045; number of active Lodges, 494.

Telegrams of fraternal greetings were exchanged between the Grand Lodges of Ohio and Kentucky.

The Committee on Revision of the Code and Preparation of a Monitor submitted a full copy of a Monitor for the use of Lodges throughout the state, which was adopted and ordered to be inserted in the printed proceedings of this session, which was done (pages 435-460).

The Grand Master having in his address called attention to the fact that since the close of the litigation with Bucyrus Lodge a number of the former members of said Lodge now defunct, claiming they had not participated in the rebellious acts, but remained loyal to this Grand Lodge, had applied to him and the Grand Secretary for certificates in order that they might apply to Trinity or some other Lodge for admittance. The matter was referred to the Judiciary Committee, which reported as follows:

"That, having given attention to the matter of granting certificates to members of defunct Lodges we recommend that applicants for such be required to sign the prescribed petition, and to secure the recommendation of the Lodge within whose jurisdiction they reside. We recommend that on the presentation of applications thus recommended, and he being satisfied that all dues to the late Lodge of the petitioner have been paid, the Grand Secretary issue certificate of good standing. In this connection we are now constrained to offer a word of caution to Lodges making recommendations that they do not recommend any improper persons;" which was unanimously adopted.

The committee also heartily approved all the suggestions and statements of the Grand Master on th subject of "Clandestine Lodges" in his address, which was unanimously approved by the Grand Lodge.

The report of the Committee on Necrology was presented, approved, and ordered printed in the proceedings.

The petition of Allen S. W. Huffman, a former member of New England Lodge No.4, located a Worthington, who was expelled by this Grand Lodge at its 1891 session for participation in the rebellious acts of said Lodge and assisting in Organizing the Clandestine Grand Lodge at Worthington, and who now renounces, annuls, withdraws, and forever disclaims any allegiance to these and all clandestine bodies and prays to be reinstated and restored to lawful membership in the Order, was presented t the Grand Lodge and referred to a special committee to investigate, and report to the next Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge.

The Committee on Charters and Dispensations reported in favor of approving the consolidation of Mt Vernon Lodge No.64 with Norwalk Lodge No.467, and in favor of granting a charter to National Lodge No.568, at Barberton, which report was unanimously adopted.

MASONIC HOME

Brother J. M. Stull, President of the Ohio Masonic Home, presented his report showing the total
amount of cash subscriptions and donations received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $70,707.72
Amount already expended on the work, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,664.98
Balance in cash on hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $36,042.74
Unpaid subscriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,362.86
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $63,405.60

The contracts awarded for the building now in construction are for:
Carpenter work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$21,315.00
Stone work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,198.50
Brick work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,291.64
Galvanized iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,750.00
Iron and steel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,271.00
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$65,826.14
Estimates have been paid on this work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,661.25
Leaving a balance to be paid as the work progresses
and is finished . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$39,164.89
The amount in the hands of the Treasurer is. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36,042.74
And will not pay the balance on the contracts by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 3,122.15

A part of the subscription is past due, and another installment will be due November 1, 1893, at which time the Administration Building will probably be under roof.

This report was referred to the Committee on Charity who reported that Blue Lodge Masonry has contributed to the Home $16,595.80, Chapter Masonry, $16,379.50, Templar Masonry, $8,353.10, and that the Grand and Subordinate Lodges had not contributed their share, and recommending that the Grand Lodge donate the sum of $5,000 additional to the fund, and that the Subordinate Lodges and their members be urged to exert themselves in the matter of raising additional funds for this noble work; which report and recommendation was unanimously adopted.

ORDER OF EASTERN STAR

The amendment offered at the last session to Section 79 of the Code, and laid over to this session for action to permit Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star to occupy under certain conditions and restrictions the halls and rooms of Subordinate Lodges was taken up and the amendment was unanimously adopted and is now the law. See amendment in full in report of last year.

M.·. W.·. Bro. Allen Andrews was re-elected Grand Master, and the other elective Grand Officers were re-elected to fill their present stations, and the appointive Officers were reappointed and confirmed to fill their present stations and all were duly installed.

Columbus was selected as the place, and October 24, A. D. 1894, as the time of holding the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence reported recommending the recognition of the Grand Lodges of Tasmania and New Zealand, which was unanimously adopted, and these Grand Lodges welcomed as sister Grand Jurisdictions.

The same committee presented its report reviewing the proceedings of sixty-seven Grand Lodges, and covering 253 pages-91 to 343-the historical part covering 12 pages.

OHIO MASONIC VETERANS

The Association met in the Masonic Temple, Cleveland. A large class of candidates among whom were M.·. W.·. Allen Andrews, Grand Master, M. Past Grand Master J. M. Goodspeed, R.·. W.·. Wm. B. Melish, Senior Grand Warden, and Bro. J. M. Stull, President of the Masonic Home, was elected, received, and welcomed, after which an elegant banquet furnished by the Fraternity of Cleveland was enjoyed.

1894

M.·. W.·. ALLEN ANDREWS, GRAND MASTER

Grand Lodge convened at the Board of Trade Auditorium, Columbus, Wednesday, October 24, A. D. 1894, with Grand Master Allen Andrews in the Chair, and all the Grand Officers present, except Bro. Charles Brown, Grand Treasurer, who was detained by illness; and also the following Past Grand Masters: C. A. Woodward, R. C. Lemmon, Wm. M. Cunningham, C. C. Kiefer, S. S. Williams, L. Burdick, L. C. Goodale and J. M. Goodspeed, and Past Deputy Grand Masters W. J. Akers and J. L'H. Long, and Emeritus Grand Secretary John D. Caldwell present, and the representatives from 479 Lodges in attendance, 15 Lodges being unrepresented.

Brother Leander Burdiek, Past Grand Master, announced the death of Brother H. Clay Landis, and moved the Grand Secretary be authorized to wire the members of his family the sympathy of this Grand Lodge, which was adopted.

The Grand Master read his annual address reporting: That on invitation May 3, 1894, he attended the laying of the corner stone of the Masonic Temple at Richmond, Indiana, and met the present Grand Master of that jurisdiction and many other distinguished Masons. He calls attention to the subject of "perpetual jurisdiction" and some of the vexatious questions arising thereunder, and suggests some action be taken in reference thereto. Refers to the action of the Grand Lodge of Colorado in relation to celebrating the centennial of George Washington's death, with proper memorial services at Mt. Vernon by the representatives of the Grand Lodges in America. Reports seven decisions which were referred to the Jurisprudence Committee and by it and the Grand Lodge approved.

Pursuant to the action of the Grand Lodge at its last session the state was divided into twenty-five districts, and one District Lecturer appointed for each, who made inspections and rendered instruction to the Lodges in their districts, resulting in much benefit to the craft in a reawakened interest, renewed effort, a broader charity, closer brotherhood, and a higher manhood. All factions have disappeared, and harmony prevails." A synopsis of the reports of the Lecturers is given.

EASTERN STAR

The amendment of Rule 79 of the Code at last session has been attended with good results, and it is manifest there was wisdom in "conferring on Subordinate Lodges the authority to permit Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star, composed of Masons true and loyal to the Grand Lodge, and of their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, to occupy the Lodge rooms under proper restrictions.

"This provision not only added many Chapters to the Order of the Eastern Star throughout the state, but greatly revived interest and zeal in Masonry in many localities, and it is no small thing that our Fraternity is exalted in the minds of our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, and thus cherished in the hearts of those we best love on earth."

Union City Lodge No.270, located at Union City, which lies on both sides of the state line between Ohio and Indiana, failing to arrange with Turpin Lodge No.401, of Indiana, also situated in Union City, surrendered its charter and effects, which were accepted and the books and jewels were sent to the Grand Secretary.

Last July a disastrous fire at Edon destroyed the hall and all the effects of Edon Lodge No.474, and many of the members lost their homes and all their possessions; and at the request of the W. M. he had granted permission for the Lodge to apply to the Lodges in this jurisdiction for such contributions for relief as might be offered.

On invitations the Grand Master laid the corner stones of the following public buildings in due and ancient form, and with proper Masonic ceremonies:

May 17, 1894, the corner stone of the courthouse of Harrison County at Cadiz.
June 21, 1894, the corner stone of the Richland township hall at Sabina.
July 4, 1894, the corner stone of the Federal building at Lima.
July 8, 1894, the corner stone of the Universalist church at Woodstock.
August 31, 1894, the corner stone of the Armory building of Hardin County at Kenton. Company G, 2d Regiment, O. N. G., presented the Grand Master a silver trowel suitably inscribed as a souvenir.

September 26, 1894, the corner stone of the Soldiers' Memorial building of Logan County at Bellefontaine. Bellefontaine Lodge No.209 presented the Grand Master a silver trowel inscribed with Masonic emblems, commemorative of the occasion.

October 18, 1894, Bro. Chas. A. Woodward, P. G. M., under proxy from the Grand Master, laid the corner stone of the Armory building in Cleveland.

Reports a number of visitations made during the year to various Lodges.
Dispensations were issued for new Lodges at the following places:
February, 1894, Continental, Putnam County.
July 4, 1894, Waynesfield, Auglaize County.

Reappointed Bros. George D. McBride and M. J. Mack as trustees of the Masonic Home.

Received a petition from a number of the members of Paulding Lodge No.502 for the restoration of its charter, which is referred to the Grand Lodge for action.

On June 28, the Grand Master dedicated the new Masonic Temple at Delta.

Under authority from the Grand Master M.·. W.·.Bro. C. F. Clapp dedicated the new Hall of Harbor Lodge No.558, and under proxies, Bro. C. C. Bat constituted National Lodge No.568, at Barberton and dedicated the Hall of Hudson Lodge No.510.

A number of the members of New England Lodge No.4, who had always remained loyal to this Grand Lodge and had never been expelled, applied to the Grand Master to be restored and have the interdicted against them removed, and after due investigation that was done as to those who had remained faithful and had never been expelled, and the Lodge was reorganized, through the efforts of Brothers Ralph R. Rickly and S. S. Williams.

Several members who were expelled by the Grand Lodge have renounced and withdrawn from the cladestine body and filed their applications for reinstallment, which are submitted to the Grand Lodge for action.

R .·. W.·. Bro. W. B. Melish, Senior Grand Warden, wrote last April suggesting the Masons Ohio erect a monument to the memory of our deceased Bro. Rev. LaFayette VanCleve, who served as Grand Chaplain of this Grand Lodge from 1877 to his death in 1892, also of the Grand Chapter for many years and as Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery Knights Templars of Ohio for twenty-three years which met with approval, and contributions request from Lodges and Masons.

R. .W. Bro. W. B. Melish as Special Committee reported that the monument had been procured, and on Sunday, October 14, dedicated with appropriate services in the presence of a large assembly of Masons and citizens, and reports the financial statement as follows:

Total amount collected . . . $967.44
Total amount expended . . . .779.42
Balance on band . . . . . . . . $188.02

which balance it is proposed to expend in placing a "VanCleve Memorial Window" in the Chapel of the Ohio Masonic Home at Springfield, Ohio.

The Grand Treasurer submitted his report showing a balance on hand in General fund of $14,491.94, and Charity fund of $428.50. Total, $14,920.44.

The Grand Secretary reported number of active Lodges, October 24, 1894, 495; total members, 38,851; that he had a number of extra copies (over 500) of the Monitor printed and bound up in smaller sized pages at a cost of $90.00, and had sold sufficient to amount to $77.75, and had 192 copies, worth $48.00, on hand, for sale as called for; that with the consent of the Grand Master he had purchased a safe for the preservation of the Grand Lodge records at a cost of $270.00; that in addition to the balance of $14,920.44 shown in the Treasurer's hands, he had in his hands the sum of $9,953.70 Grand Dues collected and held by order of the Grand Master on account of the serious illness of the Grand Treasurer, to pay the expenses of this session of the Grand Lodge, and exhibited a certified check on the National LaFayette Bank of Cincinnati, to be turned over for that purpose, and the balance turned over to the Grand Treasurer at the close of this session.

The Grand Master, after announcing the serious illness of the Grand Treasurer, appointed Bro. Ed. E. Townley as Grand Treasurer pro tem for this session of the Grand Lodge; and by a unanimous standing vote the Grand Secretary was directed to wire Bro. Charles Brown the sincere sympathies and best wishes of the Grand Lodge.

Charters were granted for the following new Lodges:

Wayne, No.569, at Waynesfield, Auglaize County
Continental, No.570, at Continental, Putnam County
The Widow's Son, No.571, at Paulding, Paulding County

Duplicate charters were granted to the following Lodges, in lieu of their original charters destroyed by fire:

Fulton Lodge No.248, Bartlett Lodge No.293, Edon Lodge No.474, and Hamer Lodge No.167.

The removal of Fairview Lodge No.446 from Fairview, Guernsey County, to Hendrysburg, in Belmont County, was approved.

The surrender of the charter of Union City Lodge No.270 was approved.

THE MASONIC HOME

R.·. W.·. J. H. Bromwell, Secretary of the Ohio Masonic Home, on behalf the Board of Trustees, submitted their report showing in detail the donations, subscriptions and cash payments to August 3, A. D. 1894, the summary being as follows:

Total cash receipts during the year just ended . $23,310.79
Total cash receipts to August 1, 1893 . . . . . . . . .62,533.97
Total cash receipts to August 1, A. D. 1894 . . . $85,844.76
Total expenditures to August 3, A. D. 1894 . . . . 64,261.59
Balance in hands of Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,583.17

The total obligations on outstanding contracts . $30,120.16

The amount of unpaid subscriptions is $24,686.98, about one-third of which is now due, but a portion is probably uncollectible by reason of the death, removal or business reverses of the subscribers.

This report was referred to the Committee on Charity, which reported recommending a donation of $5,000 to be applied to the completion of the Home, which report and recommendation were adopted.

The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence recommended the approval of the Grand Master's decisions, which report was adopted.

R.·. W.·. Bro. John D. Caldwell, retiring from the position of Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, near this Grand Lodge, turned Over the jewel of his office to his successor, R.·. W.·. Bro. William B. Melish, in an eloquent and pleasing address, referring to the Scotch ancestry of Brother Melish and his eminent fitness for the position, to which Brother Melish responded in a feeling and eloquent manner.

The Committee on Grievances, to which was referred the petition of H. C. Tipton for reinstatement, recommended that it be referred to a special committee to investigate and report to the next session of the Grand Lodge; also that the action of Grand Master Andrews in interdiction against certain members of rebellious Lodges, who had never been expelled, be approved, and further that those Brethren who were expelled for the above cause may be restored to good standing in the Fraternity upon petition to the Grand Lodge setting forth their renunciation of, and all connection with, such clandestine bodies by unanimous consent of the Grand Lodge, all of which recommendations and report were adopted.

The committee appointed at the last session to consider the application of A. S. W. Huffman, former member of New England Lodge No.4, and expelled in 1891, reported in favor of granting him a certificate of good standing, which was adopted.

Brother James W. Staton, M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master of Masons of Kentucky, was introduced, received and welcomed with the Grand Honors, and responded in an eloquent address, congratulating the Fraternity in Ohio upon their Masonic home, and urging them to contribute liberally for its completion and maintenance.

A committee was appointed to prepare a design for a District Lecturer's jewel, ascertain the cost, and report to the next session of the Grand Lodge.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted:

"Resolved, That it is improper, because inviting to improvidence in the present, and therefore unjust to those who succeed the present membership, for Lodges to receive from their members dues in bulk in lieu of annual dues, and that the Grand Lodge declares any such regulation or By-Law inexpedient and void."

By unanimous vote the property taken by the Grand Master at the time of the arrest of the charter of Paulding Lodge No.502, and formerly the property of said Lodge, was voted and donated to The Widow's Son Lodge No.571, located at Paulding.

The Committee on Code Revision submitted a report, which was adopted and ordered published.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted:

"Resolved, That this Grand Lodge send a communication to the Governor of Ohio, notifying him that New England Lodge No.4, as reorganized, is the only body recognized by this Grand Lodge as New England Lodge No.4, the beneficiary of the title to the property conveyed by deed to the Governor of Ohio for the use of New England No.4 and Horeb Chapter No.3."

M.·. W.·. Bro. S. S. Williams, as Chairman Committee on Masonic History, composed of himself P. G. M. C. C. Kiefer and Bro. John E. McVey, reported progress and was granted further time. This is the last report of any kind made by this committee to the Grand Lodge and no part of the propose history was ever reported or presented by this committee to the Grand Lodge.

Brother Carroll F. Clapp was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master; Bro. William B. Melish, Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master; Bro. Barton Smith, Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden Bro. Chas. F. Baldwin, Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden; Bro. Charles Brown, Grand Treasurer, and Bro. J. H. Bromwell, Grand Secretary and the Grand Lodge Officers were installed.

Springfield was selected as the place, and Wednesday, October 23, A. D. 1895, as the time of holding the next Annual Grand Communication.

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence granted leave to have its report printed in the proceedings, and covers 303 pages, reviewing the proceedings of sixty English speaking Lodges and eleven non-English; the historical notes containing interesting letters from V.·. W.·. Bro. W. Hughan, of Dunscore, Torquay, England, and V.·. W.·. Bro. Robert Freke Gould, of Kingfield, Woking, Surrey, England; and the other parts valuable tables of statistics relating to Masonry throughout the world, makes it a compendium of useful information to the Masonic student, and well worth a careful perusal.

A Past Grand Master's jewel was voted to Bro. Allen Andrews to be presented by the Grand Master, C. F. Clapp.

The following statement of the cost, maintenance, etc., of Homes in states where established, will be of interest:

COST OF BUILDINGS, LANDS AND IMPROVEMENTS

Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 66,000.00
Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183,852.00
Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86,000.00
Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40,000.00
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306,911.90
German Home, New York . . . 25,000.00
Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,227.63
Total cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$750,991.53
Average cost . . . . . . . . . . . . 107,284.50

NUMBER OF INMATES

Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .38
Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
German Rome, New York . . . . . . . 15
Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Total number of inmates . . . . . . . 493
Average number of inmates . . . . . .70

ANNUAL COST OF MAINTENANCE

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Expenditures . . . . . . .Interest
Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,226.20 . . . . . . . . . $1,200.00
Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,021.28 . . . . . . . . . 11,031.12
Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .900.00 . . . . . . . . . . 5,160.00
Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,331.67 . . . . . . . . . . 2,400.00
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24,098.16 . . . . . . . . . .18,414.22
German Home, New York . . . . . . . . . 4,648.96 . . . . . . . . . . 1,500.00
Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,821.49 . . . . . . . . . . 2,593.56
Totals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$85,507.76 . . . . . . . . .$42.298.90
Total expenditures and interest. . . . 127,806.66

OHIO MASONIC VETERANS

The Ohio Masonic Veterans met in Masonic Hall. M.·. W.·. Bro. James W. Staton, Past Grand Master of Kentucky, was introduced and elected an honorary member of the Association. A large class was elected introduced and welcomed as new members. Bro. S. Williams was re-elected President and appointed delegate to the National Convention to be held in Boston, Mass., in 1895.

The veterans enjoyed a banquet prepared by Lodges of Columbus.

1895

M.·. W.·. CARROLL F. CLAPP, GRAND MASTER

Grand Lodge convened at the City Hall, in Springfield, Wednesday, October 23, A. D .1895, with Grand Master Carroll F. Clapp in the Chair, all the Grand Officers, except the Junior Grand Deacon, in their station, and Past Grand Masters C. A. Woodward, Wm. M. Cunningham, R. C. Lemmon, C. C. Kiefer, S. S. Williams, L. Burdick, Levi C. Goodale, J. M. Goodspeed, and Allen Andrews, Past Deputy Grand Masters W. J. Akers and J. L'H. Long, and Emeritus Grand Secretary John D. Caldwell, and the representatives of 485 Lodges present.

The Grand Master read his annual address, reporting the death on November 6, A. D. 1894, of R.·. W.·. Charles Brown, Grand Treasurer of this Grand Lodge for the past fifteen years, and the convening of a special session of the Grand Lodge on November 9, under charge of R.·. W.·. Bro. William B. Melish, Deputy Grand Master, for the purpose of conducting the funeral services of the Order over his remains, and Brother Melish in his detailed report of the beautiful and solemn Masonic services held in the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Cincinnati, pays a fitting tribute to the private and Masonic life and character of our lamented Brother, which will be found on pages 63 to 67 of the Grand Lodge proceedings.

Also announces the death on May 8, A. D. 1895, of R.·. W.·. Bro. Dr. Charles Moore Godfrey, Past Deputy Grand Master, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years, ten months and twenty-one days, and the convening of a special session of the Grand Lodge May 11, when the last sad rites of our Order were held over his remains. He served this Grand Lodge as R.·. W.·. Junior Grand Warden from 1880 to 1881 as R.·. W.·. Senior Grand Warden from 1882 to 1883, as Deputy Grand Master in 1885, and on account of his advanced years declined to allow his name to be used for the office of Grand Master. At the request of the Grand Master, R.·. W.·. Past Deputy Grand Master J. L'H. Long, prepared a sketch of the private and Masonic character and life of Brother Godfrey, which is found in the proceedings (pages 430 to 432), and was printed separately and distributed.

The terms of Bro. John M. Stull and M.·. W.·. Bro. L. Burdick as trustees of the Masonic Home having expired, the Grand Master re-appointed them for a term of three years, saying: "These Brothers had labored so earnestly for the success of the Home, and have been so prominently connected with it from the inception of the enterprise, that I felt assured their re-appointment would meet the hearty approval of all interested."

On December 1, 1894, R.·. W.·. Bro. Ralph B. Rickly was appointed Grand Treasurer to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Bro. Charles Brown. He furnished bond in the amount of $20,000 without expense to the Grand Lodge, and on January 1, A. D. 1895, when the funds of the Grand Lodge were transferred, immediately secured interest-bearing certificates, and the accrued interest earned is $240.00, which the Grand Master recommends be donated to the Masonic Home. Bro. R. R. Rickly was installed as Grand Treasurer in Goodale Lodge by proxy, D. N. Kinsman, December 10, A. D. 1894.

Dispensations for new Lodges were granted as follows:
March 18, 1895, New Burlington, at New Burlington, Greene County
March 24, 1895, Carthage, at Carthage, Hamilton County
May 6, 1895, Gibsonburg, at Gibsonburg, Sandusky County
July 4, 1895, Norwood, at Norwood, Hamilton County

CHARTERS ARRESTED

On March 25, 1895, arrested the charter and took charge of the books, jewels and effects of Central Lodge No.279, located at Calais, Monroe Co., the Lodge having failed to hold any meetings for several years and its membership being below the constitutional number. The charter and effects were deposited with the Grand Secretary.

On August 21, 1895, the charter of Kennonsburg Lodge No.480, was arrested for the same cause and its effects sent to the Grand Secretary.

CORNER STONE

On May 11, 1895, with the assistance of Ohio City Lodge No. 486 and a number of adjoining Lodges from Ohio and West Virginia, in the presence of a large concourse of people, the Grand Master the corner stone of the new Central School building at Martins Ferry, Belmont County.

The col stone bears the following inscription:

"Ohio City Lodge No.486, F. & A. M.
May 11, A. L. 5895, A. D. 1895.
C. F. Clapp, Grand Master."

Issued special proxies for the constitution of new Lodges chartered at the last session and installation of their officers to the following Brothers:

November 27, 1894, to Bro. F. H. Johns, Wayne No.569, at Waynesfield; December 21, 1894, to Bro. E. H. Johns, Continental No.570, at Continental; January 30, 1895, to Bro. Allen Andrews, The Widow's Son No.571, at Paulding; all of which were promptly executed.

On November 16, 1894, the Grand Master dedicated the Lodge room of Western Reserve Lodge No.507 at West Farmington. This was a gala day West Farmington, all the shops and factories be closed, and the day devoted to Masonry.

Special proxies were issued to the following Brothers to dedicate Masonic Halls and Lodge room
October 31, 1894, to M.·. W.·. Bro. Allen Andrew to dedicate the Masonic Hall at Springfield, occupying one floor of the Bushnell block; June 24, 1895, to R.·. W.·. Bro. O. P. Sperra, the new Hall of Conrad Lodge No.271 at Alliance; August 23, 1895, to W. Bro. A. W. Harris, new Lodge room of Fairview Lodge No.446, at Hendrysburg, Belmont County.

Reports that each Lodge has been officially visited during the past year, and a written report of its condition filed with the Grand Master, these reports being on blanks specially prepared for that purpose, and highly commends the District Lecturers for their promptness and zeal in the discharge of their duties.

Reports a large number of visitations of Subordinate Lodges for the purpose of inspecting the work, installation of officers, Masonic reunions, and other "Masonic social events, at all of which he found harmony and zeal prevailing, and was received with the honors and welcome due the Grand Master of this Grand Jurisdiction. One of these visits was to a joint meeting held by American Union Lodge No.1 and Harmar Lodge No.390, at Marietta, July 3, 1893, and he speaks in the highest terms of the cordial fraternal reception and welcome accorded him at this city where the fires were first lighted on the Masonic Altar in the great Northwestern Territory and says:

"American Union Lodge No.1 has in its possession very many old and valuable books and records that I believe this Grand Lodge should have copied and the copies placed in the hands of some competent historian, in order that the material now lying unused might be properly arranged for future reference," a valuable and timely suggestion, but unfortunately, like many others on the same subject, was passed by unheeded and the golden opportunity to save for the good of the Order many valuable facts and records that would be of inestimable value to the craft, now and in the future, has been lost.

Reports nineteen decisions rendered on subjects of general interest; which were referred to the Jurisprudence Committee, by them approved and recommended to be published and digested in the new Code now being printed, which was adopted.

Reports the Code Revision completed, highly commends the committee, recommends that the Monitor, Forms and Ceremonies, Burial Service and a complete index be added, and says: "The entire work when completed will certainly be the most accurate and perfect Code ever published, and will be of untold value fo the craft. It should be taken up and read in full before every Lodge in the state."

He delegated to Bro. W. B. Melish, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master, the duty of procuring and presenting the Past Grand Master's jewel voted at the last session to M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master Allen Andrews, which duty was promptly performed.

Reports the kindest fraternal relations with all sister and foreign Grand Lodges with whom we have held intercourse, and recognized as legitimate, and that the Grand Master of Tennessee had written him asking if he knew any reason why the former fraternal relations existing between Ohio and Tennessee should not be restored, to which he replied he would cheerfully endorse any request made to that end, which resulted in an amicable understanding. This was ratified by the Grand Lodge, and the old fraternal relations restored.

Four Lodges lost their rooms and property by fire during the past year, viz.: Felicity No.102, located at Felicity, Clermont County; Mount Olive No.148, located at Chester Hill, Morgan County; Bartlett No.293, located at Bartlett, Washington County; and Blanchester No.191, located at Blanchester, Clinton County.

Highly commends the report of the Foreign Correspondence Committee, which receives the highest compliments from all other jurisdictions, and regrets that every Master Mason in Ohio does not have the opportunity to read the reports prepared by Past Grand Master W. M. Cunningham, who has for forty consecutive years been in attendance at the Annual Communications of this Grand Lodge.

Congratulates the Grand Lodge on the practical completion of the main building at the Masonic Home, and that the Home is to be dedicated by the Grand Lodge today---"the finest structure that has ever been erected in any Grand Jurisdiction by the craft for a similar purpose."

He adds: "It is being urged by some that when the Home is completed it should be turned over to the Blue Lodges to control and provide for. I hope that you will never consent to nor accept of such a trust. The present plan of control has worked most admirably, having every legitimate and recognized Masonic body of the state equal co-workers in this great cause of brotherly love. * * *

"The entire system from the Entered Apprentice to that of the Thirty-Third and last Degree, should he contributors to this great and noble enterprise."

Calls attention to the Order of the Eastern Star and the fact that he has granted his consent for Lodge rooms to be occupied by Chapters of that order when ever the terms of the resolution of 1893 were complied with, the conditions of said resolution, however making it almost prohibitory. He quotes from letters received from the Worthy Grand Matron of the Order in which she expresses the highest regard for and appreciation of the favors extended by the Grand Lodge and on behalf of the Grand Chapter and its fifty-three Chapters with over three thousand member tenders their assistance in building and furnishing the Masonic Home to the full extent of their ability, and the Grand Master recommends that this spirit of charity and benevolence should be met by a modification of the present rule and all that should be required is a majority vote of the Lodge and the consent of the Grand Master.

Recommends that the rules be amended so as require an examination as to the proficiency of the candidate in the M. M. Degree; that the annual dues be increased, and that the District Lecturer's expenses be paid by the Grand Lodge, stating that the entire expenses of all the District Lecturers making an inspection of every Lodge in the state during the past year amounted to the sum of $1,323.38, or an average of $2.65 to each Lodge.

The Committee on Code Revision made its report attaching a copy of the revision, and its recommendation as to Decisions, By-Laws, Monitor, Forms, Ceremonials, Burial Service, Index, etc., which was referred to a Joint Committee composed of the Committees of Jurisprudence, Grievance, Charters and Dispensations sitting jointly, which Joint Committee reported recommending the Code as prepared by the committee including the By-Laws, Rules, Resolutions, etc., be adopted as the laws and regulations of this Grand Lodge, and the Subordinate Lodges under its jurisdiction, and that said committee prepare a suitable index to the whole and have three thousand copies printed and bound and placed in the hands of the Grand Secretary for distribution; which was unanimously adopted.

M.·. W.·. Bro. R. C. Lemmon offered the following resolution:

"Resolved, That to expedite the publication of the completed Code, now in course of preparation, Leander Burdick be added to the Code Committee;" which was adopted.

The Grand Secretary was directed to distribute the Codes as follows: To each Lodge two copies, to remain the property of the Lodge and not to be taken from the Lodge room; one copy to each Grand Officer, Past Grand Master, Past Deputy Grand Master, District Lecturer, and to each Grand Lodge with which this Grand Lodge is in fraternal relations.

Brother Harvey Vinal, a resident of Springfield, eighty-eight years of age, and the oldest living Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, being present, was invited to a seat in the East, and Bro. J. H. Bromwell, M. E. Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, took the opportunity to present Brother Vinal an elegant Past Grand High Priest's jewel, which had been ordered to be prepared and given to him by the Grand Chapter of Ohio. The venerable Brother made suitable response in eloquent and touching terms.

The reports of E. Townley, Assistant Grand Treasurer, who served until the appointment of Bro. Ralph R. Rickly, and of Grand Treasurer Ralph R. Rickly were submitted and referred to the Committee Accounts, audited and found correct, the account of Bro. Ralph R. Rickly showing a balance in his hands October 15, 1895, of $26,186.32 and $240.00 accrued interest credited to the Grand Lodge, making a total of $26,426.32.

The Grand Secretary submitted his report containing valuable statistics of the membership gains and losses, and general information for the craft, including the following table of cash balances in the hands of the Grand Treasurer for the past seven years, as follows:

Year . . . . . Bal. on Hand . . . . . Net Gain . . . . . Net Loss
1889 . . . . . $17,212.96 . . . . . . . $1,652.84
1890 . . . . . . 18,250.59 . . . . . . . . . 037.63
1891 . . . . . . 21,679.29 . . . . . . . .3,428.70
1892 . . . . . . 22,760.35 . . . . . . . .1,081.06
1893 . . . . . . 26,758.80 . . . . . . . .3,998.45
1894 . . . . . . 24,874.14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,884.66
1895 . . . . . . 26,186.32 . . . . . . . .1,281.10

Brother John M. Stull, President of the Ohio Masonic Home, presented to the M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge a gavel made of wood cut from an olive tree which grew in Jerusalem, and which he had been commissioned, by the Master of the Lodge of Masons meeting in Jerusalem, to convey, with expressions of fraternal greeting to the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The M.·. W.·. Grand Master accepted the gavel with appropriate response, and used it for the remainder of the session.

M.·. W.·. Bro. James W. Staton, Past Grand Master of Kentucky, being present, was formally introduced, welcomed and invited to a seat in the Fast, and responded in an appropriate address,
Charters were granted to the following Lodges

Yondota, No.572, at Toledo, Lucas County
Carthage, No.573, at Carthage, Hamilton County
New Burlington, No.574, at New Burlington, Greene County
Gibsonburg, No.575, at Gibsonburg, Sandusky County
Norwood, No.576, at Norwood, Hamilton County

Both the Grand Master and the Committee on Charters and Dispensations heartily commend the work done by Yondota Lodge No.572, now numbering one hundred and four members, having during the ten months of its existence U. D. initiated fifty-nine and conferred the M. M. degree on fifty-five candidates, conferred in all one hundred and sixty-nine degrees, receiving therefor in fees, $2,535.00.

Duplicate charters were issued to J. B. Covert Lodge No.437, at Withamsville; Blanchester Lodge No.191, at Blanchester, and Monitor Lodge No.445 at Delhi, in lien of the original charters destroyed by fire.

The action of the Grand Master in arresting charters of Central Lodge No.279, at Calais, a Kennonsburg Lodge No.480, and his action in matter of restoration of fraternal relations with Grand Lodge of Tennessee were approved.

The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence report and recommended the adoption of the following resolutions:

"Resolved, That the Worshipful Master of each and every Lodge shall require every newly obligated Master Mason to acquire the Examination Lecture of the Master's Degree, and certify that this has be done on the annual returns of his Lodge;" * * * which was unanimously adopted.

"Resolved, That so much of the Grand Master's address as refers to the Order of the Eastern Star be approved, and that Rule 79 of the Code be amended by striking out from the last paragraph of said rule in line five the word 'unanimous,' and in line six, the word 'all.' The paragraph will then read as follows;

"Provided, however, that any organization know and designated as a Chapter of the Eastern Star, when composed entirely of Masons under obedience to the Grand Lodge, and of the wives, daughters and families of such Masons, may, with the consent of the Grand Master, and the consent of the Masonic bodies jointly occupying such Masonic Halls, be permitted to use such Masonic Halls for festival and ceremonial purposes;" which resolution was unanimously adopted.

The Committee on Necrology reported proper testimonials to our departed Brothers and recommended that the testimonials prepared by M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. B. Melish and R.·. W.·. Bro. J. L'H. Long, on the lives and characters of our lamented Brothers Charles Brown and Charles M. Godfrey be printed in the proceedings; which was adopted.

The committee on the petition of H. C. Tipton for reinstatement to good standing in the Order reported in favor of such restoration and the same was adopted. The Grievance Committee reported in favor of reinstating Isadore Jacobs to good standing, which was adopted.

When the ballots were cast for Grand Master it appeared that M.·. W.·. Carroll F. Clapp had received almost the unanimous vote of the Grand Lodge, but he stated that while the expression in his favor was most gratifying and very highly appreciated by him, he had long been of the opinion that in a Grand Jurisdiction like Ohio a Grand Master should retire at the end of one term, and therefore he respectfully declined a re-election and requested the Grand Lodge to
prepare their ballots for some other person to serve them as Grand Master.

The second ballot resulted in the selection of Bro. William B. Melish as M.·. W.·. Grand Master, and the following Brothers were elected to fill the other elective stations:

Brother Barton Smith of Toledo, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master; Bro. Nelson Williams, Hamilton R.·. W.·. Senior Grand Warden; Bro. F. C. Gulliford of Cleveland, R.·. W.·. Junior Grand Warden; Br B. B. Bickly, of Columbus, B. .W. Grand Treasurer; Bro. J. H. Bromwell, of Cincinnati, R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary.

Cincinnati was selected as the place, and Wednesday, October 21, A. D. 1896, as the time for holding the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. It was ordered that hereafter the expenses of the District Lecturers be paid by the Grand Lodge upon the approval of the Grand Master.

The committee appointed to procure designs and prices for District Lecturer's jewels submitted a design, and were authorized to purchase twenty-five at a cost not to exceed $15.00 each, and place them the hands of the Grand Master for distribution.

The following resolution offered by Bro. E. L. Lybarger was adopted:

"Resolved, That the Grand Master be, and he is hereby, instructed to purchase a Past Grand Master's jewel for each of the Past Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of Ohio who have not received the same at a cost not to exceed $100.00 each."

Brother Emil Baurittel, W. M., of Cincinnati Lodge No.133, arose in his place and stated that this day was the fiftieth anniversary of the constitution of his Lodge under its charter, and that, for the purpose of properly celebrating this auspicious event, and to advance the great Masonic charity which the Grand Lodge had dedicated on the day previous, he was instructed by Cincinnati Lodge No.133 to announce a donation of $1,000 to the Ohio Masonic Home, of which not to exceed $250.00 was to be used in properly furnishing a suitable room, to be selected by the representatives of said Lodge.

This generous gift met with hearty applause on the part of the members of the Grand Lodge.

Brother Edward F. Townley, to whom $50.00 had been voted for his services as Assistant Grand Treasurer, announced that he donated the amount so appropriated to the Ohio Masonic Home, which was received with renewed applause.

The Committee on Charity reported in favor of the Grand Lodge donating the sum of $10,000 to the Ohio Masonic Home, which report and recommendation were adopted.

A resolution instructing the Grand Secretary to furnish the library at the Masonic Home a complete set of the proceedings of this Grand Lodge, and as many of the proceedings of other Grand Jurisdictions IS he can procure was adopted.

The amendment to By-Law 16 of this Grand Lodge, offered at last session and laid over to this, was taken up and adopted as follows:

"Every Subordinate Lodge shall pay annually to the Grand Lodge, at the stated meetings thereof, the following Grand Dues, to wit: For each initiation, the sum of two dollars; and for each member, the gum of fifty cents, fifteen cents of which shall each year be set apart and appropriately by the Grand Lodge to the use of the Ohio Masonic Home."

The general report of the Foreign Correspondence Committee, covering 304 pages and reviewing the proceedings of sixty-two English speaking, and ten non-English speaking Grand Lodges is printed in the proceedings (pages 125 to 429) and contains a large number of valuable statistical tables and general information as to Masonry throughout the world that can not be found in any other publication.

All the Grand Officers present were installed, and those absent were ordered installed by their respective Lodges.

DEDICATION OF THE MASONIC HOME

On the afternoon of the first day of the session Wednesday, October 23, A. D. 1895, the Grand Lodge, assisted by the Officers of all the Grand Bodies of Masonry in Ohio, many distinguished Masons from other states, thousands of Masons and citizens, dedicated the Masonic Home to the uses of pure Masonic charity, the ritual and exercises having been prepare by the M.·. W.·. Grand Master; and the following condensed account of the proceedings, and the inception and carrying out the project, is here inserted for the information of the craft:

The afternoon of October 23, 1895, was an almost perfect autumn day in the city of Springfield, O. The air in the early morning was crisp and fresh but warmed up in the bright sunshine of midday, until earth and sky took on all the loveliness of a day in Indian summer.

From early morning the trains centering in the city of Springfield had been bringing in Commanderies and Lodges, with their showy uniforms and white aprons and their gayly-decorated bands, while hundreds of ladies, who had accompanied the visitors, lent the charm of their presence to beautify and enliven the thronged streets of the busy little city. The citizens, too, and their neighbors from the surrounding country, made this a memorable holiday, and filled the public places of the city with an ever-increasing crowd. The workshops were closed, the houses were gayly decorated, and Springfield put on its gala clothes for the most important celebration it had ever held.

At 1 o'clock in the afternoon the procession was former, and moved at 1:15 from the Public Square in Springfield in the following order:

S. J. LAFFERTY, Grand Marshal
CAPTAIN AM. WINGER, Chief of Staff
W. F. JOSEPH, N. BATES, STEPHEN P. SANDS, and T. F. LOTT, Aides.

Then followed detachments of the various Cornmanderies and their bands, acting as escort to the Grand Lodge and the Subordinate Lodges.

Following these came open carriages containing the Grand Officers of the Grand Council, Royal and Slelect Masters, the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and the Masonic Home Trustees.

These, in their turn, were succeeded by a long procession of Master Masons, and finally by the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge in carriages. The members of the Blue Lodge were under the direction of R.·. W.·. Bro. F. C. Gulliford, Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge, while Comp. S. B. Markland acted in the same capacity for the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.

After moving upon several of the principal streets in the city of Springfield, the procession marched, by way of the old National Road, to the Home Grounds, and was massed as a solid body in front of the Grand Stand, which had been erected at the entrance to the Masonic Home building.

Upon the immense porch, which was to serve as a stage, assembled the principal officers of each of the Grand Bodies, the members of the Board of Trustees of the Home, and a large number of ladies who had accompanied them, while the roof of the porch, and the stands which had been erected at either end, contained not less than a thousand spectators.

At 3 o'clock the exercises were opened with the Overture "Frisch, Frei, Stark, Treu," from Keisler, rendered by the Warren Commandery Band. This was followed by the report of the Secretary of the Home, Bro. J. H. Bromwell, to the Trustees, as follows:

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OHIO MASONIC HOME

To the Trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home:

BRETHREN--I submit the following as a brief report on the inception, progress, and completion of the structure which we today dedicate to the relief of distressed Masons, their widows and orphans.

PRELIMINARY

At the session of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Ohio, held at Springfield, October 3, 1888, the M. E. Grand High Priest, Comp. W. B. Hulman, called attention to the fact that there existed no provisions for the care, maintenance, and comfort of worthy, infirm, and aged Master Masons, or for the care and protection of Masonic widows and orphans under the direction and control of the Grand Bodies of Ohio. He recommended the purchase of from fifty to one hundred acres and the construction thereon of a Masonic Home, and suggested that for the proper consideration and presentation of the matter to the various Grand Bodies, committees of three from each should be appointed to confer together and recommend suitable action to the Grand Bodies which they represented.

This portion of the Grand High Priest's address was referred to a Committee on Charity, consisting of Companions J. H. Bromwell, J. W. Underhill, and C. C. Park, who recommended the appointment of committees as suggested by the Grand High Priest Hillman, and their recommendation was duly adopted by the Grand Chapter; and the successor of Comp. Hillman, M. E. Grand High Priest J. W. Iredell, Jr., appointed as the committee to represent the Grand Chapter, Comps. W. B. Hillman, W. W. Savage, and J. H. Bromwell.

At the session of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, held October 24, 1888, a similar action was taken, and the then Grand Master Leander Burdick appointed as the committee from the Grand Lodge, Bros. J. W. Iredell, Jr., Henry Perkins, and C. C. Kiefer.

Similar action was also taken by the Grand Commandery Knights Templars of Ohio, at its Annual Conclave held August 14, 1889, and Sir Samuel F. Forbes, Sir G. B. Harman, and Sir Edwin Morrell were appointed as a committee.

At the session of the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters, held September 10, 1889, Illustrious Comps. Levi C. Goodale, John W. Chamberlin, and Timothy S. Matthews were appointed to represent that body.

This joint committee from the various Grand Bodies met in the office of the Grand Secretary, Cincinnati, Ohio, July 20, 1889, and prepared a lengthy report, outlining briefly what other Grand Jurisdictions had done in the way of Masonic Homes, making suggestions as to the manner of raising funds, discussing the desirability of the different kinds of Homes, making some suggestions as to location and probable cost; and this report was submitted to the various Grand Bodies, and was adopted by them at their next succeeding Annual Session. The same joint committee were, by the various Grand Bodies, including the Council of Deliberation of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, authorized to procure articles of incorporation for the Ohio Masonic Home, which they accordingly did on the 25th day of February, 1890, and adopted a Constitution which provided, among other things, for the appointment of six Trustees from the Grand Lodge, three each from the Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery, one from the Grand Council, and two from the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

PERMANENT ORGANIZATION

The first Board of Trustees appointed under this Constitution consisted of the following members:

From the Grand Lodge - Bros. Charles C. Kiefer, J. H. Bromwell, J. W. Iredell, John Stull, Charles A. Woodward, and Geo. D. McBride.
From the Grand Chapter - Comps. W. B. Hillman, Leander Burdick, and Levi C. Goodale.
From the Grand Council - Comp. J. W. Chamberlin.
From the Grand Commandery - Sirs G. B. Harman, S. F. Forbes, and Edwin Morrell.
From the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite - Illustrious Bros. W. B. Melish and W. J. Akers.

These Trustees organized by electing the following officers: President, J. W. Iredell, Jr.; First Vice-President, W. J. Akers; Second Vice-President, Leander Burdick; Third Vice-President, Edwin Momrell; Secretary, J. H. Bromwell; Treasurer, J. W. Chamberlin.

The first subscriptions were made by members of the Board of Trustees, as follows: Leander Burdick, $500; G. B. Harman, $100; L. C. Goodale, $100; J. W. Iredell, Jr., $100; John M. Stull, $100; W. B. Melish, $100.

PROPOSITIONS FOR LOCATION

Propositions were received from various localities for the location of the Home, which finally narrowed down to the consideration of four points; viz., Tiffin, Columbus, Springfield, and Newark. The location offered by Springfield, consisting of something over one hundred and fifty acres, was finally selected, and the building which we dedicate today was placed in process of construction by the selection of Bro. John Eisenman as architect.

FINANCIAL

The total amount of subscriptions received up to the present time from various sources, and the total expenditures, are as follows:

Receipts from Lodges . . . . . .$38,537.63
" " Chapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,546.75
" " Councils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,972.21
" " Commanderies . . . . . . . . . 9,814.99
" " A. and A. Rite Bodies . . . . . 630.00
" " Individuals . . . . . . . . . . .40,003.04
" " Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . .4,597.33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $125,101.95

EXPENDITURES

Printing, books, stationery . . . $671.19
Postage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .711.45
Expenses of Trustees . . . . . . . 2,300.20
Construction . . . . . . . . . . . 102,452.94
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .764.55
Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,393.53
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $110,293.86
Leaving cash on hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14,808.09
The total contracts amount to . . . . . . . . 106,009.40
On which have been paid . . . . . . . . . . . . .91,639.54
Balance due . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14,369.86

Leaving a balance, after paying all bills and amounts due on contracts, of $438.23.

The total amount of subscriptions unpaid . . . .$10,622.52
Due at dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,164.76
Unpaid, but not yet due . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3,457.76
Amount subscribed and donated for rooms . . .$3,352.50
" paid for furnishing rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,947.50
Balance unpaid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,405.00

The names of the officers and members of the Board of Trustees at the present time are as follows:

OFFICERS

Brother John M. Stull, President; Bro. J. W. Iredell, Jr., First Vice-President; Bro. William J. Akers, Second Vice-President; Bro. J. W. Chamberlin, Treasurer; Bro. J. H. Bromwell, Secretary. Other members: Bros. Charles C. Kiefer, Edward Harford, Asa S. Bushnell, Leander Burdick, Levi C. Goodale, B. D. Babcock, Edwin Morrell, William B. Melish, George D. McBride, M. J. Mack.

Fraternally submitted
J. H. BROMWELL,
Secretary Ohio Masonic Home

Then followed an address to the M.·. W.·. Grand Master by Bro. John M. Stull, President of the Board, requesting him to consecrate and dedicate the Home to the uses and purposes for which it was intended, the address of Brother Stull being as follows:

ADDRESS OF JOHN M. STULL, PRESIDENT OF THE HOME

To the Masons and Masonic Bodies here present:

BROTHERS – It is fitting that we meet here today in the city of Springfield to commemorate the completion of this beautiful structure, having its origin in one of the noblest sentiments that can inspire human action-love for our fellows-and now about to be dedicated to one of the holiest purposes-human charity-and, in so doing, to give a very brief account of the origin, progress, and completion of the work.

In the year A. D. 1888, the Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was held in this city. Comp. William B. Hillman, who was then Most Excellent Grand High Priest, in his address to the Companions there assembled, introduced the subject of conferring with the other Grand Bodies of Masonry in relation to the establishment of a Masonic Home in the State of Ohio; and after referring to the benevolent and charitable institutions of the state – the good they were doing – and speaking of the Masonic Homes in other states, closed by saying, "Are their obligations and necessities greater than ours ?" and added: "I would therefore respectfully suggest to this Grand Chapter that they appoint a committee of three to confer with a like committee to be hereafter appointed by the Grand Lodge and the Grand Commandery (should these bodies concur), to agree upon the amount to be collected, and arrange other details to accomplish this most noble charity." At the same session the Committee on Charities reported that it most heartily indorsed the language of the Grand High Priest, and was in full accord and sympathy with him upon the subject of establishing a Masonic Home in the state of Ohio for the relief of worthy aged and infirm Masons and their families.

It is remarkable that, in 1889, just six years ago today, the Grand Lodge passed its resolution indorsing this great movement. From that time, moved by the inspiration of Divine Providence and love of mankind, the work began to assume shape. All the other Grand Bodies became interested, fell into line, and joined the noble enterprise. Immediate action was taken to become incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio, and to be known as "The Ohio Masonic Home." The incorporation was perfected; Constitution and By-Laws formulated and adopted; trustees appointed and qualified, and executive officers chosen.

Money was needed and subscriptions called for, one Brother after another, and Masonic body after Masonic body, came royally to its support; and so the work of raising money has gone on until the grand sum of $125,101.95 has been raised and paid into the treasury of the Home. While all the contributions have been generous, I wish to make especial mention of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for its large and magnificent donations, aggregating the total sum of $29,546.75. The several Grand Bodies enlisted in the building of the Home are: The Grand Lodge, the Grand Council, the Grand Chapter, the Grand Commandery, and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Each of these bodies is represented by Trustees selected from their number-fifteen in all.

The next duty of the Trustees was to select a site upon which to erect a suitable building. Different cities were visited in search of a desirable place. After impartially considering the various locations, their surroundings and advantages, the Trustees decided to take the one where we now are. The site – including 153 acres of land, and a contribution of $11,000 in money – was the grand offering of the city of Springfield.

This magnificent Home is before you for inspection. It is beautifully located. It has all the mode conveniences, and when entirely completed will rank among the grand and imposing structures of the state. The Masons of Ohio may justly be proud of it. The architect has spared no pains or expense to give us a model structure; and under the tasteful and painstaking direction of the Building Committee, the work has progressed without friction, moving along under skilled workmen from its foundation to its dome.

There are one hundred rooms, ninety-three of which are living rooms, all finished save Memorial Hall. Much work is needed to be done outside to make the surroundings attractive and homelike. But if we shall be favored with the continued donations and help of our Masonic Brothers of Ohio, we expect by April 1, 1896, to have every room furnished, and the Home and its surroundings in perfect order, ready to receive its inmates and begin its noble work of caring for those less fortunate than ourselves.

Several Lodges have already advised the Trustees of their desire to furnish rooms. Two or three Chapters of the Eastern Star are taking steps to the same end, and many more will doubtless do so. Let the good work go on. Let every Lodge and every other Masonic Body in the state of Ohio, including the Eastern Star, furnish one room, or assist in doing so, and give notice to the Assistant Secretary, Bro. John W. Parsons, before leaving Springfield, of its intention so to do. And for all this work our Father, God, will reward you; and, in His name and in love for our own, I make this appeal, knowing,

"If thy burden is hard and heavy,
If thy steps drag wearily,
Help to bear thy Brother's burden;
God will bear both it and thee."

And now, as we turn over the results of our labors to the Grand Master of the State, to be Masonically dedicated to the holy purpose for which it is intended, and remembering that there still "abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity," in the name of that heavenly virtue, we invoke upon this Home the beneficent blessing of the Supreme Master and Architect of the Universe, that it may be perpetual, an honor to the craft, and a refuge and safe Home for worthy and distressed Masons and their families.

Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Ohio! this Temple, which commands our attention today, was built with the generous offerings of Masons, Lodges, Councils, Chapters, Commanderies, and Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Bodies throughout the state of Ohio. Its inception had its origin in love for the indigent of the craft, their widows and orphans. The Home is nearly completed, and will soon be ready for the uses for which it was designed.

And now, Most Worshipful Grand Master! at the special request of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home, I have the honor to ask you in their behalf, and in the behalf of the forty thousand Masons in Ohio, and the respective Grand Bodies of our noble Order, to dedicate and consecrate this Temple to the uses for which it was designed; namely, to the care of indigent Master Masons, their families, and the widows and orphans of deceased worthy Brothers throughout the state of Ohio. And we trust that, as the years roll on, Heaven will still, as in the past, uphold and guide the work, until the Order, wearing "crowns of glory, and with palms of victory," will enter the Home where the "weary shall ever find rest" and Fraternity live on forever.

The Grand Architect, Bro. J. W. Iredell, of Cincinnati, who, as the first President of the Home, a afterwards as the Chairman of its Building Committee, has been most prominently identified with every detail of the work, then delivered to the Grand Master the implements of his office, which had been intrusted to him at the laying of the corner stone, informing the M.·. W.·. Grand Master that the duty then assigned to him had been performed, and the building stood completed; the following being his language:

To the M.·. W.·. Grand Master:

Having been intrusted with the responsible duty of supervising the constructing of this edifice, and the management of the workmen employed in its erection, and having, according to the best of my ability discharged the duties with which I was intrusted, I now surrender the implements committed to my care when the foundation of this building was laid. I trust that my exertions and the labors of the craft may meet with your approbation, and the approval of the M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge.

The M.·. W.·. Grand Master, in response to the address of the President, and of the Grand Architect said:

MR. PRESIDENT – In obedience to your request as President of the Trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home I have caused the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the state of Ohio to here assemble. This I have done, that we may dedicate and consecrate, according to ancient forms and ceremonies, this magnificent building and these spacious grounds to the purposes and uses intended – a Home for indigent Masons, their wives, children, widows, and orphans.

To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the sorrowing, and bind up the wounds of the afflicted, are among the principles inculcated and enjoined upon us as Free Masons. In building this Home you have demonstrated the Mason's unfaltering belief in the principles of Brotherly Love, relief and Truth.

The foundations of this Home have been laid broad and deep in the hearts of the members of our great Brotherhood. You have erected here a structure which is the pride of the craft of this city and of our great Commonwealth. The Masons of Ohio will, on account of their common interest in this great undertaking, be more closely cemented together than ever before; for this great work of charity has become with them a labor of love.

The same generous impulses that prompted them to build this Home, will, I trust, in the future see that it is properly provided for and maintained. The call of want, the wail of sorrow, and the cry of the orphan will not go unheeded.

Some states have erected great and costly Masonic Temples; but they do not dry the tears of our Brothers' widows and orphans; they do not furnish a home for the friendless.

You are not asking me to dedicate an asylum or an almshouse, but a Home; and may it ever furnish to those for whom it is intended all the sacred associations that the name implies!

In this Home grief will be alleviated, the unfortunate comforted, the helpless strengthened, young lives saved from crime and shame, and fitted for usefulness.

This Home will be the crowning glory of Masonry in Ohio. May we therefore annually celebrate the day that gave it birth and dedication!

And now, Mr. President, in the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ohio, and in the name of the forty thousand true and valiant Masons of the Grand Jurisdiction, without regard to rank or grade, I receive this Home from you for the purposes you have indicated, and we will now proceed, according to our ancient forms and ceremonies, to dedicate and consecrate it to the benevolent uses for which it was ordained. May the Supreme Grand Architect of the Universe, the Mason's God, cause his blessing to rest upon it, and spread the work of charity and benevolence!

The Grand Marshal then proclaimed silence in the following words:

"In the name of the Grand Master of Masons the state of Ohio, I command all persons here assembled to preserve silence, and to observe due order and decorum during the ceremonies."

The Grand Chaplain then invoked Divine blessing after which the Sanctus from Gounod was rendered by the Temple Quartet, of Cleveland. The flowing responsive selections were then read by the Grand Chaplain and the Brethren:

Grand Chaplain: Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

Brethren: For he is our God, and we are people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

Grand Chaplin: Sing unto the Lord; bless his name; show forth his salvation for day to day.

Brethren: All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord, and thy saints shall bless thee. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord; for great is the glory of the Lord.

Grand Chaplain: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity!

Brethren: It is the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard even Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments.

Grand Chaplain: As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended the blessing, even life for evermore.

Brethren: Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Grand Chaplain: The lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. Glory be to God on high!

Brethren: As it was in the begaining, is now and ever shall be. Amen. So mote it be.

The exercises then proceeded as follows:

Grand Master: By virtue of the authority vested in me as Grand Master of Masons, and in the name under the auspices of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Ohio, I do now solemnly and forever consecrate this building to the benevolent uses for which it was ordained.

MUSIC

What Beams so Bright?............Kreutzer

TEMPLE QUARTET

PRAYER OF DEDICATION By Grand Chaplain

"Our Heavenly Father, our Sovereign, our lawgiver, and our Judge, we dedicate to Thee with our whole heart, this Home, to be forever devoted to the solace and the comfort of our aged and infirm Brethren, their widows and orphans. By this building we would glorify Thee. Thou dwellest not in temples made with hands; neither art Thou worshiped with men's hands, as though thou needest anything. The silver and the gold are Thine, and we are Thine; but we bless Thee that Thou hast made us Thy unworthy servants, the almoners of Thy bounty. The needy are Thy special care. Thou hast given them in charge to us to feed and clothe and shelter. We would glorify Thee by deeds of true charity, by heartfelt sympathy and by acts of help. Thou art the Father of t fatherless, and Thou art the God of the widow. To the helpless Thou dost put us in Thy stead. Thou dost bid us minister to them in Thy name. We beseech Thee, our true Grand Master, to put it in the hearts of all Masons in our Commonwealth, henceforth and forever, to ratify, by their gifts and by their sympathy, this our solemn dedication of this Home. We beseech Thee in whom alone is all our trust, Thee who aft the ever-living God, to watch over and protect this Home, and to be the Comforter of all who shall be sheltered here in the ages to come. And we beseech Thee, our Heavenly Father, that we, and all who are permitted in Thy name to minister to Thy needy ones, may hear from the lips of our Judge the words: 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one, the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me

"We ask all in the name of our Great Exemplar Amen. So mote it be."

Response by Brethren: Glory be to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men!

Grand Master: Brother Deputy Grand Master, what is the proper jewel of your office?

Deputy Grand Master: The Square, Most Worshipful.

Grand Master: What does it teach, and for what purpose is it used?

Deputy Grand Master: We are taught to square our actions by the square of virtue, and with it to prove our work.

Grand Master: Having applied the Square to the walls of this building, what is your report?

Deputy Grand Master: Most Worshipful, its walls are square. The craftsmen have faithfully per-formed their work.

Grand Master: Brother Senior Grand Warden, what is the proper badge of your office?

Senior Grand Warden: The Level, Most Worshipful.

Grand Master: What does it teach, and to what use is it applied?

Senior Grand Warden: The Level symbolizes the Masonic equality of all men, and by it we test our work.

Grand Master: Brother Senior Grand Warden, having applied the Level to the various parts of this building, what is your report?

Senior Grand Warden: Most Worshipful, the building is level in all its parts. The workmen have done their duty.

Grand Master: Brother Junior Grand Warden, what is your official jewel?

Junior Grand Warden: The Plumb, Most Worshipful.

Grand Master: What does it teach, and what is its use?

Junior Grand Warden: The Plumb teaches us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, and by it we prove our work.

Grand Master: Having applied the Plumb to the walls of this building, what is your report?
Junior Grand Warden: I find that its walls from foundation to turret are plumb, and that the craft have faithfully discharged their duty.

Grand Masler (striking the wall three times with the gavel) : ~'~ell built, well proven, true and trusty throughout, may this building stand as a perpetu~ memorial of the faithful dis~iarge of our Masonic duty, and ever remind us that Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth are the principal tenets of our Ancient Institution.

Music

Dedicatory Hymn – Temple Quartet

The Junior Grand Warden (scattering the corn) says: I scatter this corn as an emblem of nourishment. May kind Heaven protect and nourish the inmates of our Home!

Grand Master: In the name of the Supreme and Eternal God, the Father of all mercies, to whom be all honor and glory, I dedicate this building to Masonry.

Music

Selection Temple Quartet

The Senior Grand Warden (pouring the wine) says: I pour this wine as an emblem of refreshment May the Divine blessing strengthen and refresh this benevolent undertaking!

Grand Master: In the name of the Holy Saints John, I do solemnly dedicate this Home to Virtue, Truth, and Charity.

Music

Selection Temple Quartet

The Deputy Grand Master says: I pour this oil as an emblem of joy. May joy and peace abound among us and crown all our labors!

Grand Master: In the name of the whole Fraternity, I do now solemnly dedicate this building to Universal Benevolence.

Music

Selection Temple Quartet

Invocation by Grand Master: May the Supreme Grand Architect of the universe bless our land with peace and prosperity, and may he enlarge the spirit of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth in the hearts of the Fraternity throughout the whole world!

Response by Brethren: So mote it be.

Public Grand Honors, three times (led by Grand Marshal).

Music

The Lord's Own Day Kreutzer

Temple Quartet

The Address of Dedication was then delivered by Bro. O. P. Sperra, R.·. W.·. and Orator of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, in the following language:

Most Worshipful Grand Master, Masons of Ohio, Ladies and Gentlemen:

These customs of celebrating with festivities and ceremony a great act performed, an extraordinary work accomplished, are as old as is mankind.

The crude records of savage life and the hieroglyphical archives of barbarous people and the history of more advanced civilization alike demonstrate and attest this fact. They are all in this respect actuated by the same feeling and governed by the same impulses. It is most fitting and eminently proper that all public edifices, and more especially and particularly those designed for advanced and continuing good, for the amelioration of the condition of man, for the promulgation of Honor, Truth, and Justice, should have their dedication and their dedicatory ceremony; and although the ceremony may differ in act and speech, the spirit which prompts and underlies, and the motive which determines it, are alike unchanging and unchangeable.

My Brethren and friends, the history of Masonry in Ohio, (to us the best in the increasing crowd of states), is coextensive with the history of the Common wealth itself. Masonry is as old as is government in fact, Masonry is government, and brings within its charmed circle, from its own power, order out of chaos, union from disruption, light from darkness liberty and freedom out of slavery, structures upon ruins. In its origin, its principles, organization, au likewise in its administration, are to be found obedience to the laws of God and man, loyalty to country compliance with established usages and customs, hope of immortality, charity for all mankind, and love for Brothers and Fellows. Without all of these attributes, there can not be Masonry.

Demonstrating, then, the practicability and truthfulness of these principles, and in conformity with our duty as Masons, we are this day permitted to crown with fitting ceremonial the completion of part, at least, 0, the greatest work of practical Masonry in the history of Ohio. This day is a Masonic heirloom, and this event a rich Masonic legacy. Cherish and preserve it even as the Spartan cherished the olive-branch of the victor. No man – particularly a Mason, and surely no Ohio Mason – an stand in the presence of his Grand Lodge, within the shade of this beautiful building, and not feel his heart grow more tender, and his breast fill and well up with sympathy, when he considers that within this structure will be fostered and perpetuated the beautiful truths of our profession; wherein Brotherly Love will prevail; wherein relief will be furnished; and above all these, wherein the highest typo of Masonic manhood will be taught and inculcated, until the prattle of baby orphans becomes the stronger sense of maturer years.

Stop and realize what your enterprise has accomplished. Let the natural feeling assert itself, and thereby consider the importance and magnitude of the results to be obtained: that here will old men 'be protected; prostrate old age, with usefulness all gone, be cheered and comforted; and you, in your home surrounded with family and comforts, can have that pure and better feeling that you have lived the life of a true Mason, and have aided in smoothing. the life of your fellow-men. But, again, within these rooms will be provided comforts for the widow – your widow, perhaps – who can tell? And thus, as God's beautiful sun shall rise on each succeeding day, and with its warmth kiss the dew of night from grass and flowers, from turret and roof; at the hour when the pure air of morning is filled with the joyous songs of happy birds; from within these walls will come forth the happy prattle of little children, orphan children your children, perhaps – you hope not, but who can tell? – as they again commence the round of the day duty and pleasure.

Masonry has, in erecting this beautiful building and again in its dedication with the presence of so many of the craft from all parts of the state, demonstrated that its teachings are fraught with thought and deeds of love and kindness, and that to be a Mason one must be willing to aid and succor his fellow-men.

And now, my friends and my Brethren, as members of this great Fraternity, as Free and Accepted Masons, and belonging to an Order emerging from the dim uncertainty of the past, as members of this great and honorable institution that was born in the shades of King Solomon's temple, bathed in the inspiration of his wisdom, it has come thundering down the ages loaded with good deeds, and crowned with the gem of universal charity; and as it has, in the light of good and generous deeds, walked hand in hand with the Christian Church, it has aided in teaching the lessons that the Master taught, inculcating Chant; Truth and Justice.

As members, then, of such an Order, and with such a history, we complete this day, and at this time one of its most impressive ceremonials; and this completion of ceremonial work, this pageant, and this great intermingling of Masons, would be but an idle thing indeed did we draw no new lesson from it, or did we not anew become impressed with the many virtues our beloved Fraternity inculcates. When you stop to think, that in the completion of this building you have finished the greatest single act of your history in the state: by dedicating this splendid building to its practical uses, wherein may be fostered those twin agents of civilization and progress – education and charity.

Today this structure has had to pass the inspection of us all. We have examined it to see if it is complete in all its parts; to see if it has been completed plan-like and workmanlike. Satisfied with our, examination, we have retired; and, figuratively at least, we have met in the Hall of Assembly the Grand Master Architect, and grasping him by the right hand, in the joy of our hearts have exclaimed, "Hail, Raboni,!" which is, being interpreted, "Hail Most Excellent Master!"

Masonry builds up character by the lessons taught from the Orders of Architecture. Let us see that these lessons may be exemplified in us. Masonry is what we make it, and we are no better as Lodges, Chapters, Councils, Commanderies, or Consistories than we are as individuals.

We may never witness again a Masonic spectacle so interesting; for the years of human life are few and short, and fast they are speeding away; and the most splendid scenes, and the most August ceremonies that ever call us together on this earth, may serve to convince us more surely that we are to be summoned to a Grand Lodge other than this; and let us hope that the result of the examination there will be, "Well done! thou hast professed little; but in actual good accomplished, in benevolent acts and deeds performed, the balance is on the right side."

The heat and burden of Life's day of labor will soon be over, and we will be called upon to present our work. It will then be tested, and must stand the test of the great Overseer's unerring square. Let us make for ourselves a history that we were ever faithful in the performance of work and duty. Let us here and now make the resolution that we will ever strive to brighten the endless chain of Masonry link by link, as it girdles and encircles civilization, and so pass it on, and hand it down, without blemish and unbroken, till Time and Masonry shall perish together. Let us, in doing this, build a Masonic home in our daily lives.

Let it be built broad and wide; let us build it strong, substantial. Let it be builded on an everlasting and eternal foundation, thorough and solid, magnificent, rearing its walls as we pace one perfect ashler upon another, and placing keystone and cope-stone with deeds of honor and duty; and still more than these, let us adorn it with the pillars and pilasters of Brotherly Love, of Charity and Self-sacrifice and this done, our personal building will be the light, the admiration, and the blessing of mankind, even as this grand structure is now at once the gratification and admiration of the Masons of Ohio.

"In the elder days of Art,
Builders wrought with greatest care
Each minute and unseen part,
For the gods see everywhere.

Let us do our part as well,
Both the unseen and the seen;
Make the house where gods may dwell
Beautiful, entire, and clean."

The exercises then concluded as follows:

PROCLAMATION

Grand Master: Brother Grand Marshal, you make proclamation that this building has been consecrated and dedicated in Ample Form in accordance with ancient usage.

Grand Marshal: In the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, I now proclaim that this building has been consecrated and dedicated to the use and purposes for which it was intended, in Ample Form, by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of Ohio, in accordance with ancient custom. This proclamation is made from the Fast (trumpet sounds), from the West (trumpet sounds), and from the South (trumpet sounds).

DOXOLOGY (Led by Band)

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."

BENEDICTION, Grand Chaplain

And thus was dedicated by the Craft of Ohio, a Masonic ilome for the helpless Brethren and the widows and orphans of deceased Brethren in this Jurisdiction-a monument to the noble tenets of our profession, and an incentive to practice Brotherly Love and Relief.

1896

M.·. W.·. WM. B. MELISH, GRAND MASTER

Grand Lodge Convened at the Cathedral of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in Cincinnati, Wednesday, October 21, A. D. 1896, with M.·. W.·. William B. Melish, Grand Master, in the Chair, all the Grand Officers in their stations, Past Grand Masters O. A. Woodward, Wm. M. Cunningham, R. C. Lemmon, C. C. Kiefer, S. S. Williams, L. Burdick, I Goodale, J M. Goodspeed, Allen Andrews, and C. F. Clapp, Past Deputy Grand Masters Win Akers, J. L'H. Long, Emeritus Grand Secretary D. Caldwell and the representatives of 481 Lodge attendance; total attendance, 641.

The Grand Master read his annual address, reporting that in compliance with the orders of the Grand Lodge at its last session he had received competitive bids and awarded the contract for seven Past Grand Master's jewels to Michie Brother of Cincinnati, at the price of $650.00; and in January, 1896, presented, in the name of the Grand Lodge, a jewel to each of the following Past Grand Master of Ohio, viz.: Chas. A. Woodward, of Cleveland; Wm. M. Cunningham, of Newark; Reuben C. Lemmon, of Toledo; Chas. C. Kiefer, of Urbana; Jos. M. Goodspeed, of Athens; S. Stacker Williams, of Newark; and Carroll F. Clapp, of Warren. Each of these beloved Brethren acknowledged receipt of your token of appreciation in fitting terms, and returned you their heartful thanks for the honor conferred.

The committee charged with the duty of procuring jewels for the District Lecturers, to be the property of the Grand Lodge, and worn by the District Lecturers during their terms of office, reported they had procured twenty-five jewels at a cost of $375.00; and I transmitted to each District Lecturer the official badge of his office, and received due acknowledgment from each.

The District Lecturers visited 397 Lodges, and 101 Lodges were not visited, the expense being $1,079.47, an average of $2.72 for each Lodge visited this expense being paid from the Grand Lodge Treasury, an investment resulting in great good to Lodges.

The Grand Master constituted the following new Lodges which received charters at the last session of the Grand Lodge and installed their Officers:

November 1, 1895, Yondota Lodge No.572; November 8, 1895, Carthage Lodge No.573; December 11, 1895, Norwood Lodge No.576.

November 30, Gibsonburg Lodge No.575 was constituted by R.·. W.·. Barton Smith, Deputy Grand Master; November 25, New Burlington Lodge No.574, was constituted by R.·. W.·. Nelson Williams, Senior Grand Warden, as proxy for the Grand Master.

On July --, 1896, a dispensation was issued for a new Lodge at West Milton, Miami County.

On May 25, 1896, issued dispensation permitting J. B. Covert Lodge No.437 to move from Withamsville to Tobasco, and on October 2, 1896, they removed to a new and commodious Lodge room and have entered upon a new era of prosperity.

Venice Lodge No.200 found themselves without a suitable Lodge room, reduced in numbers, and in 8traitened circumstances, filed their annual report, paid their Grand Lodge dues, and surrendered their charter and effects to the Grand Lodge, and certificates of good standing were issued to the Brethren entitled to them and the charter and effects received by the Grand Secretary.

The Revised Code was placed in the hands of Brothers A. P. Crane, R. C. Lemmon, and L. Burdick of the committee to complete the index, compile and arrange the forms, etc., they being residents of the same city. The task assigned to Brothers Lemmon and Burdick was promptly attended to and placed in the hands of the printers; but the index was delayed, and finally placed in the hands of Brothers Burdick and Lemmon who promptly completed it and the completed book left the publisher's hands for distribution to the Lodges on February 10, 1896, and therefore it is to Brothers Lenimon and Burdick the thanks of this Grand Lodge are due for the large amount of work they were unexpectedly called upon to assume at short notice. The new Code contains 511 Decisions, 41 Resolutions, 92 Sections of a Code, 16 Rules of Order, 29 By-Laws, 17 Articles of the Constitution, and 6 divisions of the Ancient Charges, a total of only 712 items of law; and cost between $2,500 and $3,000. The books were distributed in the manner ordered by the Grand Lodge at its last session, and the prices fixed for those on hand are, paper backs, 50 cents; cloth bound, $1.00; leather bound, $2.00.

DECISIONS OF LAW

"The Grand Master has made no decision of during his term. This announcement may bring about a stroke of paralysis to some of our elder Brethren who have attended Grand Lodge for a score of years. The Committee on Grievances has only one case to worry over. The effect it will have on the learned and usually hard worked Committees on Jurisprudence and Grievances can not be foretold, but it is hoped they will conclude they are entitled to 'a day off' and spend the time enjoying the hospitality of the Cincinnati Brethren."

Coshocton Lodge No.96, some years ago granted dimits to a number of Brothers who preferred the dead fruits of Cerneanism to the fellowship of the Lodge. Nothing is known by the Lodge regarding the use, if any, made of them. Now these former members ask for duplicates of the dimits issued to them. The Grand Master advised the Lodge to make careful inquiry into the character of the Brother since the original dimit was issued. If he ever became a member of another Lodge he is not entitled to a copy. If he ever joined a so-called Lodge of "Cerneaus," or other clandestine body, either with or without a deposit of his dimit, he has forfeited his Masonic character, and his right to a copy of his dimit, and he should explain the loss of the original, and the reason for his protracted non-affiliation.

The Grand Master reports a number of personal visitations to Subordinate Lodges, among which was Cincinnati Lodge No.133, on October 30, 1895, on the occasion of the celebration of its Golden or Fiftieth Anniversary; the reception tendered the Grand Master by his own Lodge, Lafayette No.81, on December 30, 1895; on January 27, 1896, Monitor lodge No.445, on which occasion a beautiful Past Master's jewel was presented to Past Master Bugbee, who was taken by surprise, and set the audience in a roar by stating he had unwittingly, through the solicitation of Brother Hoyt, contributed to the purchase of his own gift, but discovered his mistake when the Grand Master presented a Past Master's jewel to Past Master Thomas Kite and announced this was the jewel to which Brother Bugbee had contributed; on August 24, 1896, Vattier Lodge, No.386, on which occasion the Grand Master, on behalf of the Lodge, presented to every living Past Master of the Lodge an elegant Past Master's jewel; on October 13, 1896, a reception to tile Grand Master by Mystic Lodge No.405, at which he was accompanied by R.·. W.·. S. G. W. Nelson Williams and M.·. W.·. Past Grand Masters S. Stacker Williams and C. F. Clapp, and Grand Tyler J. Randall.

Special proxies were issued to the following Brothers to dedicate the Halls and Lodge rooms of Lodges:

November 21, 1895, to W. Bro. Henry Moser, Hall of Mercer Lodge No.121; December 19, 1895, to R.·. W.·. Bro. Nelson Williams, Hall of Tippecanoe Lodge No.174; April 8, 1896, to M.·. W.·. Bro. C. F. Clapp, Hall of Mahoning Lodge No.394.

LITIGATION OF THE GRAND LODGE

Since the last session of the Grand Lodge the Supreme Court of Ohio decided the case of "Hershiser v. Williams" and affirmed the judgment of the Circuit and Common Pleas Courts, thus sustaining the authority of the Grand Lodge to forbid the members of the Fraternity from joining or attending organizations of the Cerneaus, or in any other way giving recognition to these spurious bodies.

It will thus be seen that the Grand Lodge is fully sustained in its right to pass the resolution which it did at Toledo, and in forbidding all affiliation with "Cerneaus." The courts place their decision upon the principle that the Grand Lodge alone has the right to determine what is Masonic and what is un-masonic conduct, and that when it has determined a question of this character the Masons are bound to observe the law as established by the Grand Lodge, and the courts will not help any one in rebellious attitude toward the Grand Lodge to which he owes his obedience.

This substantially ends all litigation in regard to "Cerneaus," and is an authoritative recognition of the right of Free Masons to govern themselves in all matters concerning the Fraternity.

LAYING CORNER STONES

On June 9, 1896, escorted by some three hundred members of Hanselmann Lodge No.208, and other Lodges, preceded by the First Regiment Band, the M.·. W.·. Grand Master laid the corner stone of the Sixth District School in Cincinnati, with due Masonic ceremonies, in the presence of several thousand citizens and school children.

On June 4, 1896, under dispensation from the Grand Master, the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of Highland Lodge No. 38, assisted by the R.·. W.·. Grand Chaplain, Rev. H. D. Ketcham, laid the corner stone of the new High School building in Hillsboro, in the presence of a large concourse of Masons and citizens.

On September 20, 1896, M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master Carroll F. Clapp, as proxy of the M.·. W.·. Grand Master, assisted by Perry Lodge No.185, and escorted by Canton Commandery No.38 and Salem No.42, Knights Templars, laid the corner stone of the High School building at Salem with Masonic ceremonies.

The terms of Brothers Jacob H. Bromwell and Chas. C. Kiefer, as Trustees of the Masonic Home having expired, they were, on December –, 1895, reappointed to serve as such Trustees for a new term of three years.

The Trustees of the Masonic Home having reported that the buildings would soon be completed but the general fund would be exhausted, and nothing left for furnishing, the Grand Master addressed a circular letter to the Subordinate Lodges calling their attention to this fact, and to the donations already made by a number of Lodges for furnishing rooms, and requesting subscriptions and donations for that purpose, which met with a prompt and generous response from a number of Lodges which contributed the sum of $5,766.50, of which $4,849.00 was to the furnishing fund, and $917.50 to the general building fund. The amount realized from Grand Dues ordered to he paid to the Home at the last session will this year amount to $7,957.06. This sum, in addition to the donations of the Chapters of Ohio, and that recently made by the Grand Commandery, will meet the balance due on the building contracts and place the Home entirely out of debt, with the furnishing, improvements of grounds and operating expenses to be met, and the Grand Master urges on the Grand and Subordinate Lodges to meet these in a plain business manner and calls attention to the Masonic outing given by the authority of the Masters and Wardens of Cincinnati in September last, when Chairman M.·. W.·. Levi C. Goodale and his committee paid to the Home over $1,200 as the profits of one single pleasure excursion on the river.

Calls attention to the deaths of M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master Asa H. Battin, who served as Grand Master from 1872 to 1874, and died at Steubenville, June 3, 1896, and Bro. W. H. Sedgwick, Sr., District Lecturer of the nineteenth District, who died at Grandville, October 24, 1895.

In January last the Grand Master permitted New England Lodge No.4 to reinstate to membership Eros. Michael Slattery, Horace F. Smith, and Cicero Ellsbree, who were members of the Lodge when its charter was arrested, and had filed with said Lodge oaths of fealty to the Grand Lodge of Ohio and to New England Lodge, this in accordance with authority given by the Grand Lodge as appears on page 82 of proceedings of 1894.

The Lodge rooms of Royalton Union Lodge No.434, of Lyons, and Frankfort No.309, of Frankfort, with their charters and effects, were destroyed by fire. The Grand Treasurer submitted his report showing a balance on hand October 15, 1896, $25,292.21, which includes the $7,957.06 due the Masonic Home out of the Grand Dues, and which is the only out standing liability of the Grand Lodge so far as unpaid bills are concerned.

The Grand Secretary reported that notwithstanding the depressed condition of business, and the increase in the Grand Lodge dues, the net increase has been gratifying and the membership, August 31, was 40,839. His report contains a detailed statement of the receipts and disbursements, and shows that in addition to the extra donation of $5,000 to the Masonic Home at the last session, the Grand Lodge had a number of extra expenditures the past year.

M.·. W.·. Bro. T. S. Parvin, Past Grand Master and the present Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, was introduced, received and welcomed, that responded in fitting terms, alluding to the fact that he had received his initiation into the mysteries of our Order in N. C. Harmony Lodge No.2, of Cincinnati, and his very great pleasure in meeting with the Grand Lodge on this occasion.

Rev. Bro. J. M. Walden, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Mason of many years standing, was introduced and welcomed, and responded in an eloquent manner.

The Trustees of the Scottish Bite Bodies tend the use of their Cathedral to the Grand Lodge during its sessions free of charge, which was accepted with thanks.

A charter was granted to West Milton Lodge No.577, located at West Milton, Miami County.

A duplicate charter was issued to Frankfort Lodge No.309, located at Frankfort, Ross County, in lieu of the original destroyed by fire along with their Hall and effects, October 10, 1896.

The Committee on Charters reported against granting a dispensation for a new Lodge at Clarington, Monroe County, which report was approved by the Grand Lodge.

The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence to whom was referred portions of the Grand Master's address, reported as follows:

Approving the position taken by the Grand Master on the subject of lost dimits, and his clear and cogent statement of the law, and the reasons for it, we recommend the following be adopted as the true interpretation of the law on the subject:

"Where a Brother applies to a Lodge for a copy of a dimit granted him for the reason that he has lost the original one, it is the duty of the Lodge, through a committee or otherwise, to make careful Inquiry. If the Brother, after receiving the dimit, ever became a member of a Lodge, he has no right to demand, and should not receive, a copy of his dimit; and if, while on dimit, the Brother had been un-masonic in his conduct, no copy should be granted him. If he feels injured by the action of the Lodge, his remedy is to petition or memorialize the Grand Lodge;" which was adopted by the Grand Lodge.

On the subject of "Physical Qualifications" they report in substance, that perhaps the Grand Master should not be required to pass upon the question whether a given defect disqualifies the applicant, but this should be left to the Lodge; and recommends the following as the true construction of the law on the subject:

"A candidate for the Degree of Entered Apprentice should be able, physically as well as intellectually, to receive and impart all the essentials for Masonic recognition, and this the Lodge may determine;" which was adopted by the Grand Lodge.

On the subject of the occupancy of Masonic halls by Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star, the same committee reports: "That Section 79 of the Code as amended in 1894 and 1895, and as reported and printed in the new and revised volume, is the law in regard to the attitude of Masonry towards the Order of the Eastern Star, and supplants all resolutions and decisions heretofore made on the subject. Chapters of this society, when constituted as specified in that section, may use Masonic property with the permission of the Masonic bodies occupying the property, and with the consent of the Grand Master, and not otherwise;" which was adopted by the Grand Lodge.

The Committee on Charters and Dispensations reported against approving a By-Law submitted by Science Lodge No.50, having for its object exemption from the payment of dues of such of its members as have been paying dues for twenty-five years; which report was adopted by the Grand Lodge.

The Committee on Necrology submitted testimonials of the private and Masonic lives and character of M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master Asa H. Battin, and Bro. Dr. W. H. Sedgwick, Sr., which are printed in the proceedings.

Brother Barton Smith of Toledo was elected M.·. W.·. Grand Master; Nelson Williams of Hamilton, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master; E. C. Gulliford of Cleveland, R.·. W.·. Senior Grand Warden; E. L. Lybarger, Spring Mountain, R.·. W.·. Junior Grand Warden; R. R. Rickly, R.·. W.·. Grand Treasurer, and J. H. Bromwell, R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary, and they, with the appointive Grand Officers, were duly installed.

Columbus, Ohio, was selected as the place, and Wednesday, October 20, A. D. 1897, as the time for holding the next Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge.

The proposed amendment to Section 2 of the Code, laid over from last session, which fixed the amount of the Subordinate Lodge dues at not less than $2.00 annually, was taken up and adopted.

The Committee on Accounts reported fixing the amount to be paid Bro. A. P. Crane for his services on the Code Committee at $350.00 and that of M.·. W.·. Bro. R. C. Lemmon at $150.00; which was approved.

A resolution was adopted instructing the M.·. W.·. Grand Master to appoint the Worshipful Master of each Lodge in the state a committee to solicit donations of fifty cents from each member of his Lodge for the use and benefit of the Masonic Home.

A committee of three was appointed to carefully examine the Revised Code, and report to the next session any omissions, errors, conflicts, etc., and any corrections necessary to make the same conform to Masonic Law.

Two proposed amendments were offered to Section 79 of the Code: One to strike out all after the words "Grand Lodge" in the thirteenth line; and the other to strike out the words "with the consent of the Grand Master" in that section; both of which were laid over to the next annual session.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Resolved, That the R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary be instructed to procure a suitable jewel for presentation to our retiring R.·. W.·. Grand Master, as a token of the appreciation of the Grand Lodge F. and A. M. ( the State of Ohio, of his labors in its behalf."

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence report covering 348 pages, and reviewing the proceedings of 62 English speaking and 11 non-English Lodges, is printed in the proceedings.

The M.·. W.·. Grand Master in his address pays the following compliment to M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. W. Cunningham and his reports:

"It is pleasant to note the kind words said concerning the chairman of our Committee on Foreign Correspondence, M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. M. Cunningham, and the high esteem and respect accorded him and his work for this jurisdiction. It may be that his reports are not read as fully in Ohio as they deserve, but the reading Masons, and learned Masonic critics through-out the world accord him a high position among Masonic scholars and writers."

1897

M.·. W.·. BARTON SMITH, GRAND MASTER

Grand Lodge convened at the Auditorium of the Board of Trade, Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, October 20, A. D. 1897, with R.·. W.·. Bro. Nelson Williams, Deputy Grand Master, in the Chair, the Grand Master being unable to be in attendance; all of the Grand Officers present, except the M.·. W.·. Grand Master, Bro. Barton Smith, and Bro. Merwin Jackson, W. Senior Grand Deacon, who were unavoidably detained; and Bro. Jacob Randall, Grand Tyler, who had died since the last session. The following Past Grand Masters C. A. Woodward, W. M. Cunningham, R. C. Lemmon, C. C. Kiefer, J. M. Goodspeed, S. S. Williams, L. Burdick, L. C. Goodale, Allen Andrews, C. F. Clapp, and W. B. Melish; Past Deputy Grand Master J. L'H. Long, and Emeritus Grand Secretary J. D. Caldwell and the representatives of 486 Lodges, and 24 District Lecturers present, making the total attendance 623.

The Deputy Grand Master read the Grand Master's annual address, reporting:

The death of Colonel Charles Fowler Baldwin, R.·. W.·. Past Junior Grand Warden, who was born January 6, A. D. 1837, and died at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, October 23, A. D. 1896. His funeral services were conducted by the Grand Lodge, M.·. W.·. Bro. C. F. Clapp acting as Grand Master, on October 26, 1896, Mt Zion Lodge and a large number of visiting Masons joining with the Grand Lodge, and Clinton Commandery No.5, Knights Templars, acting as escort.

Also announces the death of our Venerable Grand Tyler, Bro. Jacob Randall, who died September 13, 1897.

Commends the District Lecturer system, and compliments the District Lecturers on their zeal in the performance of their duties, and the good results from their visitations and supervision of the work.

He had permitted the Order of the Eastern Star to occupy Lodge rooms for ceremonial and social purposes when the terms of the law had been strictly complied with, and did not find any difficulties or harm arising therefrom. Calls attention to the two propositions pending to amend Section 79 of the Code: one to exclude this Order entirely from the Lodge rooms; the other to grant permission to make use of them with the consent of the Masonic bodies occupying them and not requiring the consent of the Grand Master; and suggests a modification of the latter so as to more particularly define the purpose, tenure, and conditions of the occupancy.

Calls attention to the remnant of the Cernean litigation, three eases in Cleveland, which were decided in favor of the Grand Lodge in the Circuit Court of Cuyahoga County, February 27, 1897, and taken by the seceding plaintiffs to the Supreme Court on error, which court refused to allow them an injunction.

Calls attention to so-called "Degree Peddlers" and says: "Confidence operators are still fleecing the unwary. Under authority of a self-constituted Grand Lodge, so-called Lodges are formed, and an expelled Mason is eking out a precarious existence by pretending to confer Masonic Degrees. His victims are usually those whose characters or habits prevent them from ever becoming Masons."

Reports a number of decisions on the questions of Annual Dues, Objections to Candidates, etc., which were approved by the Grand Lodge.

Special proxies were issued to the following Brothers to lay, with Masonic ceremonies, corner stones of Masonic and public buildings:

July 13, 1897, to Bro. E. C. Gulliford, the corner stone of the Alliance Christian Church at Alliance, Ohio; September 23, 1897, to Bro. S. W. Courtright, the corner stone of the new Methodist Episcopal Church at Leesburg, Highland County; October 18, 1897, to M.·. W.·. Bro. L. Burdick, the corner stone of the Court House at Upper Sandusky; May 12, 1897, to R.·. W.·. Bro. Nelson Williams, the corner stone of the new Masonic Temple at Washington C. H., Ohio; all of which were attended to on the dates named.

Reports the appointment of Bros. Henry Perkins and George D. McBride as Trustees of the Masonic Home.

"The Ohio Masonic Home, the glory and pride of Ohio Free Masonry, is completed, and was, on the first day of April, A. D. 1897, opened for the performance of its great duties and purposes. Its very success, however, and its importance brings to us new cares and responsibilities, and imposes upon us new burdens."

In compliance with the instructions of the Grand Lodge at its last session the Grand Master issued a circular to the Master of every Lodge in the state calling attention of himself and Lodge to the action of the Grand Lodge requesting a donation of fifty cents from each member of the Lodge and urging prompt action, which was followed by another, and reports that in response, up to October 1, A. D. 1897, the amount realized was $5,806.15, contributed by 295 Lodges, which has enabled the Home to carry on its work until this time.

He is of the opinion this manner of providing for the maintenance of the Home can not be depended on, and suggests that some action be taken toward providing a permanent endowment fund sufficient for that purpose.

Commends the generous hospitality of the Masons of Ohio and the cordial, fraternal reception and wecome accorded him everywhere, and says: "The devoted loyalty of the Masons of Ohio is above description. No king ever received more ardent welcome or more cheerful obedience than is accorded to the representative of the Grand Lodge of Ohio."

Reports that as his proxy, M.·. W.·. Bro. Charles A. Woodward, on May 5, 1897, dedicated the beautiful new Hall of Ellsworth Lodge No.505, at Cleveland.

The R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master, Nelson Williams, submits his reports: The sudden death on November 11, 1896, of Bro. Rev. Thomas J. Melish, Eminent Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, Knights Templars; Right Illustrious Grand Chaplain of the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Ohio; and Excellent Grand Chaplain of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, and a member of Ohio Consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and having attained the Thirty-third and last Degree of that Rite. He was seventy-five years old. His funeral was conducted by the Grand Commandery of Ohio, Knights Templars.

Also the death of Bro. Harvey Vinal who died at Springfield, February 17, 1897, at the age of eighty-nine years, ten months, four days. He was a Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, and his funeral ceremonies were conducted by Clark Lodge No.101, R.·. W.·. Bro. Nelson Williams acting as Worshipful Master.

Also the death of Brother Jacob Randall, who served the Grand Lodge as Tyler from October 19, 1864, until his death, having served as Junior and Senior Grand Deacon at different times before 1864, and he held similar offices in the Grand Commandery and Grand Chapter of Ohio. His funeral was conducted by Peed Commandery, and was attended by representatives of all the Grand Masonic Bodies in the state.

As proxy of the Grand Master he constituted West Milton Lodge No.577, at West Milton, in due and ancient form, on November 19, 1896, and on December 28, 1896, dedicated the new Masonic Hall of Xenia Lodge No.49, at Xenia; and on January is, 1897, dedicated the new Lodge room of Hamer Lodge No.167, at Wapakoneta, and installed the officers; and on May 12, laid the corner stone of the new Masonic Temple at Washington C. H., Fayette County. During the year visited thirty-three Lodges, in all of which he was received with that fraternal warmth and friendship which is characteristic of our Brotherhood.

The Grand Secretary procured the Past Grand Master's jewel unanimously voted by the Grand Lodge at its last session to the retiring Grand Master William B. Melish, and at his request I presented it to M.·. W.·. Brother Melish in "due and modern form" at the banquet which closed the annual reunion of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Cincinnati, February 25, 1897, and he "looked thankful, and acted thankful."

The R.·. W.·. Grand Treasurer submitted his reported showing a balance on hand October 15, A. D. 1897, $$626,401.88.

The R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary presented his report showing the present membership 41,713 a net gain of 874 during the past year, and a table showing the membership, and net gains in each year from 1887 to 1897, ten years, which shows the total gain during that time 8,885, or an average of 888 each year.

The amount due the Masonic Home from the 15 cents per capita tax is $6,256.95.

Brother Wm. B. Melish, on behalf of the Trustees of the Masonic Home, invited the Grand Lodge to visit the Home the afternoon of the first day of the session on a special train provided for that occasion, which was accepted and the entire Grand Lodge to the number of over 600, spent the afternoon in an inspection of the Home.

Corinthian Lodge No.111, was granted a duplicate charter in lieu of the original which had become so discolored that it is almost illegible. The Grand Secretary was authorized to correct the date of the duplicate charter issued to Wellsville Lodge No.180, in 1854, by erasing 1854 and inserting 1849, the date of the original charter, the "1854" having been inserted by clerical error. A duplicate charter was issued to Bloomfield Lodge No.422, in lieu of the original destroyed by fire.

The Committee on Jurisprudence report that the Grand Master's decisions and Opinions on the questions of "Conflict of Laws" and "Objections, are in conformity with law and should be approved, which was approved.

Brother Nelson Williams was elected M.·. W.·. Grand Master; Bros, E. C Gulliford, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand master; E. L. Lybarger, R.·. W.·. Senior

Grand Warden; F. S. Harmon, R.·. W.·. Junior Grand Warden. Bro. R. R. Rickly, re-elected R.·. W.·. Grand Treasurer and Bro. J. H. Bromwell, R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary.

Columbus was selected as the place, and Wednesday, October 19, A. D. 1898, as the time for holding the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.

The Superintendent and Secretary of the Ohio Masonic Home submitted his report, showing the total expenditures to April 1, 1897, the date of opening the Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$167,443.42
Disbursements since-
Betterments - House . . . . . . . . . . $1,596.22
" Barn, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,156.27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 752.49
Maintenance - General . . . . . . . .$1,995.54
House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,065.20
Barn, Grounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263.90
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6,324.64
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$176, 520.55

Furnishing Account -
Expended at opening, April 1,
1897 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$7,115.05
Since . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247.67
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$7,362.72

Number of inmates now in Home-Men, 29; women, 9; boys, 9; girls, 9; total, 56.

Average cost per month for maintenance of Home $,1,054.10, or $12,649.28 per year.

Total number of rooms for all purposes, 134. Total number of bedrooms, 81, of which 17 are attic rooms and not suitable for summer use, leaving 64 available for all seasons.

The Committee on Charity reported recommending a donation of $4,000 from the funds of the Grand Lodge for the Ohio Masonic Home for its maintenance, which report and recommendation were adopted.

M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. M. Cunningham submitted an amendment to Section 16 of the Grand Lodge By-Laws increasing the per capita tax on each member from 50 to 60 cents per year, which under the rule lies over until the next session.

The Committee on Jurisprudence reported the two amendments offered at the last session to Section 79 of the Code for consideration and action by the Grand Lodge.

The first amendment to strike out all after the words "Grand Lodge" in the thirteenth line, which would exclude the Chapters of the Eastern Star entirely from the Lodge rooms, which was taken up, voted on and lost, and the amendment rejected.

The second amendment offered by Rev. Thomas J. Melish, to strike out of said section the words "with the consent of the Grand Master;" so as to permit the Masonic bodies occupying a Hall to grant permission to the Eastern Star to occupy the same without requiring the consent of the Grand Master, was taken up, voted on and duly adopted, and is now the law.

Brother Jobn Blyth on behalf of the Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star returned thanks, and announced he had authority to say that said Grand Chapter had donated $100 from its funds to the Ohio Masonic Home.

The following resolution was adopted:

"Resolved, That the Grand Secretary express to the M.·. W.·. Grand Master, Barton Smith, the regret of this Grand Lodge that he was unable to be present at this Annual Grand Communication."

The special committee appointed at the last session to examine the new Code and report any omissions, errors, conflicts, etc., and recommend any corrections necessary, reported as follows:
"We have made a comparison of the new Code with the old Code, and find that, although there are discrepancies, the new Code is an improvement over the old. We would therefore make no recommendation;" which report was adopted.

M.·. W.·. Bro. W. M. Cunningham called attention to the fact that statements had been published in the Columbus daily papers that there was a probability of a consolidation being effected between this Grand Lodge and the bogus so-called Grand Lodge of Ohio, presided over by one Justin Pinney, calling himself Grand Master; denounced all such statements as false, and made appropriate remarks by way of caution and admonition against allowing the members of said bogus Grand Lodge and members holding allegiance to it, being given any recognition by the legitimate Masons of Ohio.

The R.·. W.·. Grand Chaplain, Chairman of the Committee on Necrology, asked leave to print their report in the proceedings without reading the same, which was granted and the report was so printed.

A resolution was adopted authorizing the incoming Grand Master, Nelson Williams, to procure and present to the retiring Grand Master, M.·. W.·. Barton Smith, a Past Grand Master's jewel, the Grand Secretary to draw a proper voucher for the payment of the expense thereof.

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence presented their report which is printed in the appendix to the proceedings, covering 336 pages, reviewing the proceedings of 60 English speaking and 11 non-English speaking Grand Lodges.

If any Mason interested in the history or literature of the Order will glance over the index to this valuable paper he will become convinced of its merit, and will not lay the volume down until he has read every page of this report.

Those desiring information on the subject of Masonic Homes will find reports of fifteen such institutions; on the subject of Clandestinism, ten; Cerneauism, ten; Antiquity of Freemasonry, nine; Anti-Masonic Congress, three; Method of Wearing Apron, two; Cipher Rituals, thirteen; Freemasonry, thirteen; Grand Lodge Sovereignty, seven; non-affiliation, fourteen; and other subjects too numerous to mention.

The Ohio Masonic Veterans' Association held its annual meeting at which eighty-two Venerable Brethren were present; S. S. Williams, President; E. Morrell, Secretary.

A large class of candidates was elected, received and welcomed; the usual banquet enjoyed. The Secretary reported that the proceedings of the Association from 1872 to 1891, inclusive, had been printed pamphlet form.

The death of Venerable Bro. Thomas J. Melis Grand Chaplain, and Venerable Bro. Jacob Panda were reported, and a committee appointed to draw a memorial for each.

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