MISSISSIPPI.

January, 1872. G. M. Fearn, after an acknowledgment of the goodness of the G. A. O. T. U. towards them, proceeds to his official acts, among which was the issuing dispensations for eight new Lodges Among his decisions we find the following:

"1. The W. Master of a Lodge ought not to entertain a resolution providing for a division of the property of the Lodge for the benefit of a contemplated new Lodge; it is not in the power of a majority of the Lodge thus to dispose of its property."

2. A Mason dies under suspension for non-payment of dues. His friends propose to pay them, that he may be reinstated and receive Masonic burial. Answer. The brother died under suspension, and must so remain; reïnstatement of one dead is an impossibility. But, by a decision of the Grand Lodge, in 1870 (page 255), he may be buried Masonically."

3. A brother dies while under suspension from the Lodge, but in good standing in the Chapter. Is he not entitled to Masonic burial? Answer. He is not. Membership in the Chapter confers no rights in the Blue Lodge. But reference is made to proceedings of 1870, to determine whether or not he may be buried with Masonic honors."

He calls their attention particularly to the last two decisions. The law is, that a suspended Mason is deprived of the right to Masonic burial; but an exception is made in favor of distinguished Masons. This, it occurs to him, is at variance with the whole spirit of our Institution. We are taught that, as Masons, we meet upon the level of equality; and yet, in death, that equality is destroyed, and a beautiful and highly-prized ceremonial is performed over the remains of one, which is denied those of another, who, although in the humbler walks of life, may have been possessed in a higher degree of those internal qualifications which should recommend a man to be made a Mason. He suggests that in no case should a suspended Mason receive a Masonic burial. No discretion, no exception, should be allowed in this jurisdiction, where, if a brother is unable to pay dues, he will be excused; if he is able, and refuses, let him suffer the consequences, whether he be distinguished or not.

"4. A Lodge cannot entertain a petition for membership until it is satisfied that the petitioner is a Master Mason. It is, therefore, no part of the duty of the committee to examine into and report upon that fact, for this must be fully established before the appointment of the committee."

"5. Has a Subordinate Lodge the right to prefer charges and try a member, who is also a member of the Grand Lodge; or has the Grand Lodge exclusive original jurisdiction ?"

His answer to this was to the effect that the Grand Lodge has exclusive original jurisdiction over none of its members except the Masters of Subordinate Lodges. These were simply statements of the existing law, as founded in their statutes.

It was declared to be the sense of the Grand Lodge that it is unmasonic for any of the delegates or members of the Grand Lodge to wear their jewels outside of the Lodge room, unless under authority of the Grand Lodge.

They are considering a proposition made by the Mississippi Baptist Convention to transfer to them "The Orphans' Home" with all its property, franchises, and solemn trusts.

The committee appointed last year to consider the propriety of building a Grand Temple reported having sent a circular to the Lodges, asking how much they would give annually for five years, and how much could be raised by voluntary contributions in their jurisdictions. The result is thus stated:

That two hundred and eighty Lodges have declined to give any expression of opinion upon the subject whatever, and that seven Lodges out of the twenty-one who have, are of opinion that it is impracticable at this time. These indices of the feelings and opinions of the craft throughout the State, arrested the enterprise.

With regard to the Grand Lodge of Quebec, they are satisfied that Canada and she will soon settle all their difficulties.

The Committee on Masonic Law and Jurisprudence, to whom was referred the distinction made in a report of the Committee of Law and Jurisprudence for the year 1870, between "distinguished" brethren and other Masons in cases of suspension, ask to report that they know of no "distinguished" brethren elevated above the level upon which all Masons meet.

The Committee on Masonic Law reported the following:

Question. "Are the minutes of an E. A. Lodge to be approved by that Lodge, or will the approval be deferred for a regular meeting of the Master's Lodge?"

Answer. Each Lodge approves its own minutes. At a regular monthly meeting when the Lodge opens on all the degrees, the Master's Lodge generally approves the minutes of all. Strictly speaking, each Lodge might approve its own minutes. See Sec. 60, Rules, etc."

Question. Bro. A., charged with perjury, and having made oath before a negro justice of the peace that he would abstain from drink for a certain time. The evidence to substantiate this charge was simply the certificate of the negro J. P., which was ruled out by the MasWas the ruling right?"

ter.

Answer. It was right, in our opinion."

Question. "A Master Mason is charged with violating his oath to the Fraternity, in pledging his word as a M. M. to a negro who claims to be a member of the negro Lodge in N- The only evidence to substantiate this charge was the verbal and written statements of the negro, which were ruled out by the W. M. Was the ruling right, and is negro testimony to be taken against Masons charged with Masonic offenses?"

Answer. "We answer the ruling was right, and we give it as our opinion that negro testimony ought not to be taken in the case mentioned."

Our proceedings of 1871 are fraternally noticed in the report on F. C., by Bro. A. H. Barkeley on behalf of the committee.

Lodges, 302; initiated, 808; members, 11,488.

W. H. Brady is G. M., and J. L. Power, G. S.

MISSOURI.

October, 1871. G. M. Garrett says they are making too many Masons and making them too fast. He would not exclude any good man from the order, but insists that the material we use to perpetuate the building should conform to at least one of our symbolical supports, viz.: Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty. He complains that many recommend friends, perhaps only casual acquaintances, because they are "good fellows." We get these "good fellows," he says into the order, and what good do they do us, or we them? Should any danger threaten our order in the future, he thinks it will strike from within? The mutterings of an anti-masonic storm he thinks at present impotent to harm, because their pretensions are a conglomerate of falsehood, and their lightning a sham, but he cautions them to see to it that no spark of truth gets into them.

His decisions are able and voluminous, turning chiefly on local law. He held the report of only one of an investigating committee of three not to be a competent report.

Question. "Can the Master or one of the Wardens-there being only one of these officers present-open the Lodge, transact the regular business, and then absent himself, leaving the Lodge in charge of a Past Master to confer degrees ?"

Decision. "He cannot. Our laws require one of the three principal officers to be present, and in his proper place as Worshipful Master in the Lodge during the whole of the session. He may, however, call upon any well qualified brother to conduct the work, and to give the lectures."

Decision. "It is unnecessary to dedicate and consecrate a hall, when the Lodge that meets in it is organized under Dispensation."

Complaints were made of the practice of making speeches for or against the candidate after the committee has reported, and ballot is ordered. This is bad. A brother says he intends to black-ball a candidate simply because he don't know him. This is worse.

His secret vote is the only legal expression of his opinion at this stage of the proceeding.

The status of Masons hailing from Alsace and Lorraine was in question, whether the transfer of their civil rights from France to Germany took with it their Masonic allegiance. Its was decided that the brethren hailing from these provinces may be assisted by our Lodges, as a work of charity, not thereby determining the future status of

Lodges of which they are members, until official Masonic information is received from the Grand Lodges in interest.

The point involved was, whether the present non-intercourse with France was operative in the cases.

A full summary of our proceedings for 1871 are given by the Committee on F. C.

Their proceedings for 1872 are at hand at the last moment. We quote a few decisions of G. M. Garrett.

He expresses surprise at the question, in this day and generation, whether a man unable to read and write is a proper candidate, considering the general enlightenment and the advanced position of the order. The petition must be signed by the petitioner-a mark is not valid.

The acts of a meeting of Masons, without the charter present, are null and void.

The Committee on F. C. set forth in full our proceedings of last year, regarding Corporate By-Laws as a matter of aid to them in perfecting an arrangement of like character.

Lodges, 406; initiated 1,691; members 21,968.

Samuel H. Owens is G. M., and Geo. Frank Gouley is G. S.

ΜΟΝΤΑΝΑ.

October, 1871. Fifteen charted Lodges, and two U. D., constitute the Masonic family in this jurisdiction.

G. M. Hedges reports peace and harmony, with some dullness and depression, characteristic of reactionary periods. They have a load of debt from the start, and their expenditures have always anticipated their revenues.

The representative system calls forth from him a vigorous assault. He thinks it detracts from the traditional simplicity of our fraternal intercourse, to be prompted by a morbid appetite for foolish display and empty titles, an anti-republican and anti-masonic innovation, promising future trouble and expense with no compensating advantage.

The whole "get up" of the proceedings deserves notice. They are adorned with an artistic copperplate likeness of the Grand Master. The typography is superior, and on tinted paper, and the Rocky Mountain Publishing Co. have produced a pamphlet unequaled by any which have come under our observation.

James R. Boyce is G. M., and Cornelius Hedges is G. S.

NEBRASKA.

June, 1872. G. M. Hill reports the past year a prosperous one, the Lodges working in peace and harmony. He thinks Masonry is injured by the establishment of Lodges in sections of the country thinly settled, and that Lodges in declining towns would do better by surrendering their charters, and their members joining other Lodges. This view decided him to decline issuing several dispensations for new Lodges.

In view of their embarrassed finances, he recommended the omission of Grand Officers, past and present, from the Pay Roll; the subject was referred to a special committee, but seems to have made no report. The report of the committee, to whom that part of the G. M.'s addres was referred, was adopted, expressed their abhorrence of the attempt by Lodges or members to give the aid of Masonry to any lottery or gift enterprise; also strongly reprobated the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and declared it to be a Masonic offense, and insisted on carefully guarding the Landmarks of Masonry in the matters of profane swearing and keeping the Sabbath.

Two queries presented were answered as follows, by Bro. D. H. Wheeler, chairman of a committee of five, and adopted by the Grand Lodge:

"In answer to the first query, they are of the opinion that the denial of the existence of God as set forth in the Holy Bible is a Masonic offense; and in answer to the second query, they are also of the opinion that the denial of the divine authority and authenticity of the Holy Bible is a Masonic offense."

The Circular issued by our Grand Master, on March 15th, relative to Clandestine Lodges in this jurisdiction, was read, and appropriate action taken, the whole being spread on the minutes.

They have 1,494 members, and 33 Lodges.

William E. Hill is G. M., and Wm. R. Bowen is G. S.

NEVADA.

September, 1872. G. M. George Robinson begins his address with a review of the general situation of Masonry throughout the country. Speaking of "side degrees" he says, they put on the garb of Masonry, and are therefore calculated to deceive the unwary. They are practised in Lodge rooms, and so are made to assume the guise of Masonry, particularly in the case of what are called androgynous degrees, instances occurring where ladies who had received the degrees, supposing they