plead guilty; the latter we deny. This finishing touch to our report, besides what is contained therein, will no doubt give some of our radical brethren an opportunity to sermonize upon the idols of Baal, and that nothing good can come out of Nazareth, not forgetting to charge that all other secret societies represent Baal and Nazareth, and, consequently, no matter how perfect and worthy of copying their system of uniformity may be, masonry shall not profit by it, for the reason that we have planted ourselves upon the eternal foundations of no change, and it is heretical to admit (although it is so) that others have been wiser in their day and generation than we have, and have made great improvements not worthy to be considered for a moment by our very ancient institution that might grow young again if allowed to pattern after surroundings in the least.

We also expect to hear some brother charging us with demolishing the landmarks, and others that we deny to the Grand Master any more powers than are vested in the chairman of a debating club. To all such we say go back and read carefully, and find that we are for the former, and believe in powers of the latter, but in this day of written laws and reason we want both specifically defined.

This being New Year's day, we bring the old year's work to a close, with the kindest wishes and a happy and prosperous New Year to all our reportorial fraters and the masonic world generally.

CONGRATULATIONS.

We congratulate our esteemed brother and friend, Leroy S. Barnes, on his elevation to the position of Grand Master. It was our pleasure, so to express it, to meet Brother Barnes in his professional capacity during our short sojourn in Laramie City some few years ago. We know him to be a skillful physician, well up in the profession, and we believe he will excel in the direction of masonic law as in his own chosen profession. Shake, doctor; shake!

ter.

OFFICERS ELECTED.

M. W. LEROY S. BARNES, Laramie, elected Grand Mas

R. W. WILLIAM L. KUYKENDALL, Cheyenne, re-elected Grand Secretary.

1

BRITISH COLUMBIA-1890.

The nineteenth annual communication was held in the city of Vancouver, commencing June 19, A. D. 1890, A. L. 5890.

M. W. J. S. CLUTE, Grand Master.

R. W. HENRY BROWN, Grand Secretary.

Ten subordinate lodges represented. Four Past Grand Masters present.

GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS.

The Grand Master says that the year just closed has been a prosperous one, not only to the Grand Lodge but to all subordinate lodges, for which reason they are bound, collectively and individually, to offer hearty and fervent thanks to the Great Author of all good for his manifold mercies, and to so conduct themselves as to be deserving of a continuance of these favors and blessings.

NOT ARDUOUS.

Speaking of the labors of his office during the past year, the Grand Master says:

My labors of the past year have not been very arduous, yet I have received and replied to eighty-three letters and communications, all of more or less interest to the craft, and I sincerely hope that decisions I have made, and advice given, in reply to many of these letters, may be of benefit to our order, although I do not consider the questions asked and replies given to be of sufficient importance to place on record here.

We have great cause for thankfulness, my brethren, for the blessings and mercies which have been vouchsafed to us as a Grand Lodge during the past year. Our ranks have not been broken by death, neither has any serious or great calamity visited our jurisdiction. Individually many

of us have had afflictions and bereavement, some of us having laid away our loved ones in the silent tomb, and long

"For the touch of a vanished hand,

And the sound of a voice that is still,”

Let us be true and faithful brothers. We can, one and all, while humbly bowing to the fiat of our Great Creator, say from our hearts, "He doeth all things well."

NECROLOGICAL.

He refers to the death of Past Grand Master S. C. Coffinberry, in the list of illustrious dead of other jurisdictions, and says of him and others:

These brethren were all eminent masons, and much loved and respected in their various jurisdictions. They have now entered the middle chamber, and we have no doubt are enjoying the rewards of a well spent life.

A PLEASANT SESSION.

The evening session of this Grand Lodge must have indeed been a pleasant one, if we can judge from the following:

The M. W. Grand Master called up the Grand Lodge and ordered the Grand Director of Ceremonies to form a procession, which was done, when the Grand Lodge and visiting brethren, to the number of 150, under the direction of the Grand Marshal, proceeded to St. James' church, where divine service was held and a very interesting and impressive sermon was preached by the V. W. Grand Chaplain, which was listened to with much pleasure and attention by the brethren and congregation assembled. On returning to the lodge room, Brother W. Downie, on behalf of the committee of lodges 7 and 12, invited the Grand Lodge and visiting brethren to a banquet prepared for them at the Hotel Vancouver, and hoped all would make it convenient to attend. The Grand Lodge. was then called from labor to refreshment until 9:30 A. M., on Friday, the 20th.

CORRESPONDENCE.

No report on correspondence.

OFFICERS ELECTED.

M. W. A. MCKEOWN, Victoria, elected Grand Master.

R. W. HENRY BROWN, Victoria, re-elected Grand Sec

retary.

CANADA-1890.

The thirty-fifth annual communication was held in the city of Kingston, commencing Wednesday, July 16, A. D. 1890, A. L. 5890.

M. W. R. T. WALKEM, on the Throne.

R. W. J. J. MASON, Grand Secretary.

Two hundred and forty-two subordinate lodges repreresented. Four Past Grand Masters present.

GRAND MASTER'S ADDress.

The Grand Master, in his address, begs the brethren always to bear in mind that their prosperity and strength, as a body, are affected by their conduct as individuals and as members of lodges; to remember that they are taught that a free masons' lodge is a temple of peace, harmony, and brotherly love, and that nothing be allowed to enter in which has the remotest tendency to disturb the quietude of its pursuits. While each brother remembers and practices these sublime principles, there can be no petty differences; the aim of each will be to excel his brother in the practice of that broad charity and brotherly love which is taught us by our Divine Master.

THREE NEW LODGES.

Dispensations were granted for three new lodges. The Grand Master cautions District Deputy Grand Masters against giving away to importunity or reporting in favor of the granting of dispensations unless the new lodge is clearly needed.

PROMISCUous use OF LODGE ROOMS.

On the question of promiscuous use of lodge rooms, the Grand Master says:

While upon this subject I desire to refer to the use of dedicated

lodge rooms, a matter to which reference has frequently been made. It has become the practice to dedicate the room in which the lodge assembles as well as to consecrate the lodge itself, and I have always held and have frequently expressed the opinion that our dedicated lodge rooms should not be used for frivolous amusements. I do not see any objection to the holding of intellectual entertainments in such rooms, but occasionally they have been used for purposes which are far from intellectual, unless the intellect can he said to extend to the feet as well as the head. I am glad to be able to say that during the past year I have heard of no instance of a lodge room being used for such purposes, and I believe that since the attention of the brethren has been directed to the matter they will see the propriety of using their rooms only for the purposes for which they are intended, and to which they are dedicated. In the present day almost every village has a hall which can be obtained for an evening's

amusement.

IRREGULAR.

The Grand Master ruled that a ballot taken during the absence of a brother on a Board of Trial, was irregular.

COMMITTEE ON CORRESPONDENCE.

On the question of the appointing of a committee on foreign correspondence, the Grand Master says:

I see by the reports of foreign Grand Lodges that the establishment of our foreign correspondence department has given great satisfaction. Brethren who do not look over this foreign correspondence have no idea of the amount of useful information which may be obtained from it. It contains the thoughts and opinions of some of the best men in the various jurisdictions, and I am pleased to see that the selection of Brother Robertson and the work which he has done have been almost universally approved. The money spent on this department is well invested.

RETURNS THANKS.

He returns thanks to the officers of his Grand Lodge generally, especially to the Grand Secretary, Deputy Grand Master and District Deputy Grand Masters.

CLOSING.

He closes his address as follows:

And now, brethren, after having for two years occupied the position of Grand Master, I am about to resign the gavel to the brother whom you shall choose to succeed me. From the moment at which you entrusted the gavel to my hands I resolved to devote to your service, and to the