Grand Lodge convened at Smith's Opera Hall, Mansfield, Tuesday, October .17, A. D. 1871, M.·. W.·. Grand Master Alexander H. Newcomb is the Chair, and all the other Grand Officers present, except the S. G. D. The following Past Grand Officers were present: Past Grand Masters, L. V. Bierce and George Rex; Past Deputy Grand Master, M. D. Brock, and 415 Lodges represented.

A special committee was appointed to wait upon and introduce to the Grand Lodge M. W. S. C. Coffinbury, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan, and formerly a resident of Mansfield, Ohio. He was received with Masonic honors, welcomed by the Grand Master, and addressed the Grand Lodge.

The Grand Master presented his address and reports.

At the close of last session he issued proxies to competent Brothers to constitute the Lodges chartered at the last communication, Nos.437 to 451 inclusive, and received reports that all had performed the duties assigned to them.

That he had issued special proxies to the following Brothers to dedicate new Halls, and lay corner stones:
J. Q. Mitchell, to dedicate new Hall for Swan Lodge; P. G. M. Wm. Fielding, to dedicate Kreider Lodge Hall; P. G. M. Thos. Sparrow, to dedicate Uhrichsville Lodge Hall; Freeport Lodge to dedicate its new Hall and install the Officers; New Philadelphia Lodge, to lay corner stone of a Town Hall.

On November 17, 1870, the Grand Master dedicated the new Masonic Hall at Akron, and on July 4, 1871, laid the corner stone of Buchtel College at Akron.

Dispensations for three new Lodges were issued, as follows:
March 1, Anthony, at Springfield, Clark County
March 25, Cheshire, at Cheshire, Gallia County
June 28, Collingwood, at Washington Township, Lucas County

Received petitions for two new Lodges recently, which are referred to the Grand Lodge for action. Refused a number of petitions for the reason that the localities would not warrant dividing up territory occupied by small Lodges, most of them drawing more from the Grand Lodge each year than they pay into its treasury.

That in obedience to the orders of the Grand Lodge at its last session, he sent a circular to the Subordinate Lodges in this state on the evils of intemperance and profanity, which was well received and welcomed by all good Masons, not only in this but in several other jurisdictions, and has been the means already of much good in our Lodges; and calls on the Officers and members of the Grand Lodge to strictly live up to the very letter of the law they unanimously passed, thereby showing the Brethren that the law was enacted not only for them, but also for the lawmakers, and no one, from the Grand Master to the youngest entered apprentice, will be allowed to violate it.

Announced the death of Past Grand Master Thomas Sparrow, at Columbus, on August 8, 1871, and his burial on the 10th. A special communication and his burial on the 10th. A special communication of the Grand Lodge was convened at Columbus that day, and his funeral, largely attended but the citizens of Columbus and the Fraternity from al parts of the state, was conducted with Masonic ceremonies in compliance with his request.

Receiving notice that Ely Lodge and Richland Lodge had lost their charters and effects by fire, dispensations were issued authorizing them to continue work as, soon as they could secure suitable rooms, until this session, and recommended new charters be issued to them. Calls attention to the many losses by fire, and recommends the Lodges be required to protect themselves from such losses by proper insurance.

Calls attention to Rule 8, and requests the Grand Lodge to decide as to its application to a case of the illegal sale of liquor.

Granted permission to serval Lodges to turn not as Lodges on May 30, and assist in the ceremony of decorating the graves of our fallen heroes.

Received a number of applications to confer the degrees in less than the prescribed time, all of which were refused.

On April 10, 1871, on invitation of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, the Grand Master attended a banquet given by that body to the Right Honorable the Earl DeGrey and Ripon, the M.·. W.·. Grand Master of England, at the Masonic Temple in Washington, D. C., and was cordially received and welcomed by that body as the representative of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

Grand Masters and representatives from many of the states of our Union, and Brethren from Canada were present, it being the first time in the history of Masonry that the representatives of our fraternity have met together under so favorable auspices.

The Grand Master presented a written invitation from Mr. and Mrs. John Sherman, to a reception at their residence Wednesday evening, 5 to 8 P. M., which was accepted with thanks.

The Grand Treasurer presented his report showing a balance on hand October 17, 1871, $11,262.11.

Brother E. T. Carson called attention to Masonic sufferers by the devastating fire at Chicago, and moved the appointment of a committee to report on the subject; Bro. Caldwell also called attention to the sufferers in Michigan and Wisconsin, and they were included and the committee appointed.

Deputy Grand Master P. M. Wagenhals, President of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Widows' and Orphans' Home, made a report covering 13 pages, showing the pledge of cash donations of about $10,000.00 unconditional, a cash donation of, conditioned on its location at Mechanicsburg, and land donations $24,000, and cash $1,500.00, if located at Worthington.

The Grand Treasurer's report cash received and on hand, including interest, $3,523.03.

The Grand Lodge donated the sum of $2,000.00 to the sufferers by fire in Chicago, Michigan and Wisconsin, to be divided among them in such proportions as the Grand Master on full investigation may deem proper, and the Subordinate Lodges are requested to make such donations as their finances may allow.

A telegraph message of greeting was sent to the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, now in session at Louisville in that state.

A message of sympathy and brotherly regard was sent to Past Grand Master Wm. Fielding, and the hope that he will speedily recover from his present illness.

A vote of thanks was tendered Hon. John Sherman and wife for their generous hospitality to the members of the Grand Lodge at their residence Wednesday evening.

The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence submitted the following resolution which was adopted:

Resolved, That a Brother who is engaged in any business or occupation which is forbidden, and against the exercise of which penalties are denounced by any law of the state of Ohio, or of the United States, is for such act properly subject to Masonic discipline.

Resolution that the term "Masonic Clothing" as used in resolution adopted in 1847 for the government of the members of this Grand Lodge while in session, be held to include, in addition to citizen's clothing, only "white aprons," was adopted.

Resolution, That any subordinate Lodge in this state may amend its By-Laws so as; to receive not less than $15.00 in lieu of annual dues, the same to be invested, and any Lodge adopting such amendment shall notify the Grand Master and Grand Secretary by mail, and thereafter such amendment shall be in force in said Lodge; adopted.

The Grand Secretary was authorized to have an adequate number of the proceedings of this Grand communication printed, and distributed.

The Committee on Obituary of Past Grand Master Thomas Sparrow, reported an appropriate testimonial on his public, private and Masonic life, and expressive of the deep loss sustained by the Grand Lodge in his death, which was adopted, ordered printed in the proceedings, and a memorial page set aside in the records to his memory.

On the memorial page of our departed Brothers is inscribed the names of the following distinguished Masons who died within the past year:

Clement Laird Vallandigham, June 17, 1871; Thomas Sparrow, Past Grand Master, August 7; Dr. Leonard A. Hendricks, a zealous and active Mason more than fifty years ago, at Milford, Clermout County; Gottlieb Steinman, Lancaster, June 25, Grand Sword Bearer, also Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge a quarter of a century ago; General George Sanderson, at Lancaster, Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge in 1826; Rial McArthur, August 25, a member of the Grand Lodge in 1812, Senior Grand Deacon in 1813.

Section XV, of the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge was amended so as to make the salary of the Grand Secretary, $1,000.00.

The Grand Lodge approved the action of the Grand Master in attending the reception and banquet given by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia to the Grand Master of England, and appropriated $50.00 for his expense on that occasion.

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence submitted its report covering 74 pages with an addendum of a compilation of "Summary of Masonic Law," prepared by Bro. U. D. Taylor of Iowa, covering 18 pages and containing a careful compilation and digest of the decisions of the several Grand Masters, and Grand Lodges in the United States on various Masonic subjects, during the past year, and containing a fund of valuable information, to which is added a large statistical table of each Grand Lodge in the United States, giving dates of their organization, statistics as to membership, names and addresses of Grand Masters, Grand Secretaries, and F. C. Committees, Chairmen, etc. The summary shows 42 Grand Lodges, 7,660 Subordinates, initiated during the year 41,399, passed (reported) 20,118, raised 22,700. Total number of Masons in the United States, 498,655.

The Grand Secretary also presents a detailed report of the membership in Ohio by counties, showing 403 working Lodges, with a total membership of 27,392, and 2,254 receiving the M. M. degree during the past year.

A copy of the circular issued by the Grand Master and sent to all the Lodges on the subject of the evils of intemperance and profanity, is also printed in the proceedings, pages 129 to 132.

The Grand Lodge of Kentucky responded to the greeting of Ohio, as follows:

"The M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge of Kentucky hails your greeting with 'God bless the M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge of Ohio.'

Charles Eginton, G. M."

The committee on arrangements for hall, hotels, etc., for next session of Grand Lodge reported the propositions of several places, and the Grand Lodge voted to hold the next annual communication at Columbus, Tuesday, October 15, A. D. 1872.

Charters were granted to the following Lodges:
Symbol, No.452, at New Lyme, Ashtabula County
Shade River, No.453, at Chester, Meigs County
Brooklyn, No.454, at Brooklyn, Cuyahoga County
Anthony, No.455, at Springfield, Clark County
Siloam, No.456, at Cheshire, Gallia County
Collingwood, No.457, at Washington Township, Lucas County
New charters were issued to the following Lodges in lieu of originals defaced by accident:
Allen Lodge, No.276; Ely Lodge, No.424; and Richland Lodge, No.201.
Dispensations were issued by the Grand Lodge for new Lodges, as follows:
Epler, at Montra, Shelby County
Noble, at Caldwell, Noble County
Juilliard, at Louisville, Stark County
Racine, at Racine, Meigs County

Brother Alexander H. Newcomb, was re-elected M.·. W.·. Grand Master, and Bro. Asa H. Battin, elected Deputy Grand Master, and they and the balance of the Grand Officers were duly installed.

Grand Lodge convened at the City Hall, Columbus, Tuesday, October 15, A. D. 1872, with Grand Master A. H. Newcomb in the Chair, all the other Grand Officers except the J. G. D., and the following Past Grand Officers, Wm. B. Thrall, P. G. M., L. V. Bierce, P. G. M., M.D. Brock, P. D. G. M., and P. M. Wagenhals, P. D. G. M., present, and more than a constitutional number of Subordinate Lodges represented.

The Grand Master read his annual address, reporting as follows:

He constituted Collingwood Lodge; No.457, and issued special proxies to competent Brothers to constitute the balance of the Lodges chartered at last session, who reported the performance of the duties assigned to them.

The Grand Master in January dedicated the new Hall of Rockton Lodge, at Kent; on January 25, dedicated the new Hall of Mt. Zion Lodge, at Mt. Vernon, and on August 15, laid the corner stone of a courthouse to be erected at Sandusky City.

Issued special proxes to the following Brothers to dedicate Halls:

Brother William Tripp, to dedicate new Hall for Caldwell Lodge; Bro. A. K. Dunn, to dedicate new Hall at West Bedford; February 12, Bro. J. B. Williams, to dedicate new Hall for Stafford Lodge.

Dispensations were issued for the following new Lodges:
April 15, 1872, Newton Falls, at Newton Falls, Trumbull County
April 15, 1872, LaRue, at LaRue, Marion County
June 28, 1872, Acacia, at Wilkins Run, Licking County
June 28, 1872, Savannah, at Savannah, Athens County
June 28, 1872, Lucasville, at Lucasville, Scioto County
July 12, 1872, Norwalk at Norwalk, Huron County

A number of petitions for dispensations for new Lodges were refused for same reasons as' given last year.

The Lodge room, charter and effects of Village Lodge were destroyed by fire and a special dispensation allowing them to continue work until this session was issued, and recommend a new charter be granted said Lodge; also Hope Lodge, at Delphos, which lost its charter, jewels and effects by fire May 5.

The Grand Master reported his action in disbursing the funds placed in his hands for the fire sufferers at last session, and the payment of the balance remaining in his hands to the Grand Treasurer.

The Grand Treasurer's report shows a balance on hand October 15, $8,240.24.

The Grand Master reported he had deposed the Worshipful Master of Rubicon Lodge, No.237, for disseminating the ritual contrary to the rules of the Grand Lodge adopted in 1865, and his action was approved by the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge expelled from its membership a representative for intoxication during the session of the Grand Lodge.

The Grand Treasurer was instructed to procure insurance on the jewels, clothing and property of the Grand Lodge, and Subordinate Lodges urged to procure sufficient insurance on their property, real and personal, to protect them from loss by fire.

Blanchard Lodge, No.403, at Findlay, Hancock County, having surrendered its charter and effects to the Grand Lodge, was stricken from the roll.

The sympathy of the Grand Lodge to Past Grand Master Wm. Fielding, on account of his continued ill health, was tendered by a rising vote.

The Trustees of the Widows' and Orphans' Home made their report, and after discussion of the present status of the project and its future prospects, the Grand Lodge voted that it does not now deem it advisable to take further action in the premises, and the original resolution was rescinded, the Trustees discharged from further consideration of, or action on the subject, and the money on hand ordered returned to the donors.

The Grand Secretary was instructed to have 3,000 copies of the proceedings of this Grand Lodge, to include the revised Code, printed and properly distibuted, and the Code will be found in the proceedings of 1872, a number of copies were printed last year separately and distributed.

The Hall of Cedar Lodge, No.430, was destroyed by fire, and the Lodge was authorized to meet at such place as the Grand Master should approve to transact ordinary business, but not to confer the degrees of Masonry until they procure a Hall of their own.

Charters were issued to the following Lodges:
Epler, No.458, at Montra, Shelby County
Noble, No.459, at Caldwell, Noble County
Juilliard, No.460, at Louisville, Stark County
Racine, No.461, at Racine, Meigs County
Newton Falls, No.462, at Newton Falls, Trumbull County
LaRue, No.463, at LaRue, Marion County
Acacia, No.464, at Wilkins Run, Licking County
Lucasville, No.465, at Lueasville, Scioto County
Savannah, No.466, at Savannah, Athens County
Norwalk, No.467, at Norwalk, Huron County
Dispensations were granted for new Lodges, as follows:
Bishopville, at Bishopville, Morgan County
Gallia, at Chambersburg, Gallia County

The dispensation to Jenkins, at Hammondsville, Jefferson County, was continued.

The petitions for dispensations for Lodges at Genoa, Pickaway County, and Jeffersonville, Fayette County, not having the consent of adjoining Lodges were returned to the petitioners.

New charters were granted to Hope Lodge, No.214, at Delphos, and Village, No.274, at Burton, in lieu of the originals destroyed by fire.

An attempt was made to bring up the subject of "Colored Masons" again, but the subject was indefinitely postponed.

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence submitted its report covering 57 pages, reviewing the proceedings of 44 Grand Lodges. The Grand Master of New Jersey in his address gives an account of the invasion of its jurisdiction by the Grand Lodge of Hambnrgh, and also of its invasion of New York over twenty years ago, and appeals to all the Grand Lodges of the United States to stand by them in resenting this positive violation of Masonic law. The Grand Master of New York also raises his voice and pen m defense of New Jersey; and the Grand Orient of France comes in for its full share of criticism in the various reports for its invasion of Louisiana, and in upholding the spurious council in such invasion. Attention is also given to the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and the learned and eloquent address of Grand Master Sewell Gardner at the celebration of the feast of St. John, the Evangelist, December 27, 1871; on Henry Price, who he claims is the legitimate founder, under lawful authority, of Masonry in America, and submits forty-eight pages of copies of documents and letters to sustain his contention. The report of Michigan contains a report of the visit of M.·. W.·. Bro. A. H. Newcomb, Grand Master of Ohio, to its Grand Lodge, and the presentation of a contribution from his Grand Lodge of $800.00 to the sufferers by fire in that jurisdiction, and its acceptance and vote of thanks. A number of the Grand Lodges commend our Grand Lodge and Grand Master on the stand taken against the evils of intemperance and profanity, and have followed in our footsteps, in efforts to crush them out of the Order.

Our Grand Secretary appends to his report a statistical table showing in detail the work done by every Lodge in this jurisdiction together with a recapitulation showing the 423 working Lodges with a membership (Master Masons) 29,267; raised during the year, 1,888.

Brother Asa H. Battin, of Steubenville, was elected Grand Master, and Bro. Charles A. Woodward, of Cleveland, Deputy Grand Master, and they and the other Grand Officers were duly installed.

Columbus was selected as the place, and Tuesday, October 21, A. D. 1873, the time for holding the next annual communication of the Grand Lodge.

Grand Lodge convened at City Hall, Columbus, Tuesday, October 21, A. D. 1873, with Grand Master Asa H. Battin in the Chair, all the Grand Officers, and the following Past Grand Officers, L. V. Bierce, P.G. M., George Rex, P. G.M., A. H. Newcomb, P.G. M., M.D. Brock, P. D. G. M. and P. M. Wagenhals, P.D. G. M., present, and more than a constitutional number of Subordinate Lodges represented.

The Grand Master read his annual address reporting:

All the Lodges receiving charters at the last communication were duly constituted by competent Brothers to whom special proxies were issued for that purpose.

An unusual number of special dispensations were issued to Lodges authorizing them to elect and install Officers.

Dispensations were issued to Olive Lodge, No.210, September 12, to lay the corner stone of a new school building in the Village of Caledonia; and to Harmony Lodge, No.8, October 9, to lay the corner stone of a new school building at Urbana.

Also proxies to Bro. J. Kelly O'Neal to dedicate the new Hall of Xenia Lodge, No.49, and to Bro. Allen T. Brinsmade, to dedicate the new Hall of Village Lodge, No.274, both of whom promptly performed the duties assigned to them.

The Halls, charters and effects of Centreville Lodge, No.371; Hanover Lodge, No.115; King Solomon Lodge, No.56; and New Birmingham Lodge, No.231, having been destroyed by fire, dispensations were issued empowering them to continue work as soon as proper Halls could be obtained, and new charters are recommended to be issued to them.

On September 26, the Grand Master by special invitation visited the city of Philadelphia, Pa., and with our R.·. W.·. Senior Grand Warden, and R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary, was present at the ceremonies of the dedication of the magnificent new Masonic Temple erected by the M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, in that city; and we were fraternally received by the Officers of the Grand Lodge, and treated with the utmost courtesy.

Dispensations were issued for new Lodges at the following places:
November 30, 1872, Zaleski, at Zaleski, Vinton County
December 30, 1872, Sinking Spring, at Sinking Spring, Highland County
February 9, 1873, Richmond, at Richmond, Jefferson County
March 1, 1873, Baltimore, at Baltimore, Fairfield County
December 5, 1872, Jeffersonville, at Jeffersonville, Fayette County
July 9, 1873, Edon, at Edon, Williams County
July 29, 1873, Gettysburg, at Gettysburg, Darke County
August 7, 1873, Humbolt, at Columbus, Franklin County
August 19, 1873, Avery, at Hilliard, Franklin County
September 23, 1873, Hicksville, at Hicksville, Defiance County

Calls attention to Sections 34 and 35 of the Code and the question whether in cities Lodges have concurrent jurisdiction over the entire city, or as other Lodges, and asks the Grand Lodge to settle this question.

Announces the deaths of Past Grand Masters William Fielding and William B. Thrall, both of whom were buried with Masonic Honors.

The Deputy Grand Master reported that on January 15 last, he dedicated the new Hall of Garrettsville Lodge, No.246; and on January 13 installed the Officers of Iris Lodge, No.229.

The report of the Grand Treasurer shows a balance on hand October 21, 1873, $8,601.50.

The Committee on Obituaries of Past Grand Masters William Fielding and William B. Thrall, reported testimonials of their public, private and Masonic lives and character, which are printed in the proceedings, and a page of the records set aside to each.

The sum of $500.00 was appropriated by the Grand Lodge for the relief of the Memphis sufferers.

The Grand Secretary was authorized to have 2,000 copies of the proceedings of this session printed, at least 500 on Superior paper, and distribute the same.

Section 79 of the Code was amended by adding "except by special permission of the Grand Lodge or Grand Master which allows the Grand Lodge or Grand Master to consent to a Lodge occupying a Hall in connection with another society.

The Code is republished in the proceedings of this year, pages 111 to 122.
Charters were granted to the following Lodges:
Gallia, No.469, at Chambersburg, Gallia County
Bishopville, No.470, at Bishopville, Morgan County
Jenkins, No.471, at Hammondsville, Jefferson County
Zaleski, No.472, at Zaleski, Vinton County
Richmond, No.473, at Richmond, Jefferson County
Edon, No.474, at Edon, Williams County
Baltimore, No.475, at Baltimore, Fairfield County
Humboldt, No.476, at Columbus, Franklin County
The dispensations for the following Lodges were continued and referred to the Grand Master:
Jeffersonville, at Jeffersonville, Fayette County
Gettysburg, at Gettysburg, Darke County
Hicksville, at Hicksville, Defiance County
Avery, at Hilliard, Franklin County
Sinking Spring, at Sinking Spring, Highland County

New charters were granted the following Lodges in lieu of the originals destroyed by fire: King Solomon Lodge, No.56; Hanover Lodge, No.115; New Birmingham Lodge, No.231; and Centreville Lodge, No.371; also a new charter to be issued to Mad River Lodge, No.161, whose charter has been mutilated by accident, on said Lodge paying the fees and expenses for the same.

The matter of the rectification of the charter of Hamer Lodge, No.167, was referred to the Grand Master.

The Committee on Grievance reported that while this Grand Lodge has no jurisdiction to compel a Subordinate Lodge to refund to a Foreign Lodge money voluntarily expended for relief or burial of a member of such Lodge, yet it is the duty of the Lodge so far as they are able to reimburse said Foreign Lodge; which report was adopted.

Brother Asa H. Battin was reelected M.·. W.·. Grand Master and all the elective Grand Officers were re-elected to their present stations, and all were duly installed.

Columbus was selected as the place, and Tuesday, October 20, A. D. 1874, fixed as the time of holding the next annual communication of the Grand Lodge.

The Foreign Correspondence Committee submitted its report covering 48 pages, and reviews the proceedings of 46 Grand Lodges.

The invasion by the Grand Lodge of Hamburg, and the Grand Orient of France is still discussed and condemned, and the Grand Lodge of Michigan seems to strike a responsive chord by its resolution, as follows:

"That the encroachments upon the jurisdictional rights of American Grand Lodges can no longer be submitted to, and as edicts of non-intercourse appear to have no influence upon the Grand Lodge of Hamburg, or the Grand Orient of France, the Grand Lodge of Michigan will cooperate with her sister Grand Lodges in refusing to bold Masonic communication with all Masonic powers, who, on being requested, shall fail to recognize the American doctrine of exclusive and absolute Grand Lodge jurisdiction on this continent." The Grand Lodge of Virginia adopted similar resolutions.

The Grand Secretary appends the usual statistical tables to our proceedings, the recapitulation showing 433 working Lodges with total membership of 30,300, and 1,364 raised the past year.

The Grand Secretary received the following response from the Masons of Memphis, after the close of the Grand Lodge, which is printed on page 183 of the proceedings.

Office of Masonic Board of belief of Memphis, Memphis, October 27, 1873.

John D. Caldwell, Grand Secretary,

"My Dear Brother: God bless your noble old soul, may you live forever. 'This truly said that Masonry knows no North, South, East or West, and the fraternity of your noble old state, with yourself, are certainly bearing out this statement. The prayers of the suffering and destitute must avail, and Ohio be exempt from scourges such as ours forever.

"The five hundred dollars just received please consider as the capstone of your benevolence.

"With kind remembrances of 'Auld Lang Sync' and fraternal regards now and always,
Yours fraternally,
A. J. Wheeler, Secretary."

There also appears on the next page the minutes or memoranda of the organization of the Association of "Masonic Veterans of Ohio."

"On the 15th of October, 1872, was organized at Columbus an Association of Masonic Veterans of Ohio. Its object, 'the perpetuation of Masonic friendship, the cultivation of the social virtues, the collection of facts relating to Masonic history and biography, the preservation of the good old usages of the craft, and the exertion of influence to improve Masonry in every good word and work.'"

As originally instituted those eligible were to be Masons in good standing of some Masonic body, who had been members of the Order for twenty-five years, furnishing their signature to the roll, and pay the Treasurer the sum of one dollar.

Brother Wm. B. Thrall, M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master, was chosen the first President. He died June 7, 1873.

At Toledo, September 2, 1873, the vacancy was filled by promoting Bro. Jacob Graff, first Vice President, to the office of President.

The regulation was changed so as to admit, if members of some Masonic body, those who had been Master Masons for twenty years.

The Association is to hold a reunion and meeting during the session of the Grand Chapter (convenes Wednesday, September 9, 1874, at Dayton), and during the meeting of the Grand Lodge (at Columbus, Tuesday, 20th of October, 1874), every year.

Brother Edward Spear, a Vice President, died, January 31, 1873.

The present Board of Officers is as follows:

President, Bro. Jacob Graff, P. G. H. P., Cincinnati; Vice Presidents, Bro. John M. Barrere, Hillsboro; Bro. Jonathan N. Burr, Mt. Vernon; Bro. George Rex, P. G. M., Wooster; Bro. Joseph M. Dana, Athens; Bro. J. S. Felton, Norwalk; Bro. George Keifer, Troy; Secretary, Bro. Cornelius Moore, Cincinnati; Treasurer, Bro. John D. Caldwell, Cincinnati; Sentinel, Bro. Timothy B. Fisher, P. G. M. G. C., Marion.

Grand Lodge convened at City Hall, Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, October 20, A. D. 1874, with Grand Master Asa H. Battin in the Chair, and all the other Grand Officers, and the following Past Grand Masters, L. V. Bierce, George Rex, A. H. Newcomb; and Past Grand Deputy Grand Masters, M.D. Brock and Philip M. Wagenhals, present, and more than a constitutional number of Subordinate Lodges represented.

The Grand Master read his address, reporting:

The dedication by the Grand Master of the following Lodge Halls:

October, 1873, the new Hall of Wellsville Lodge, No.180. A large attendance from East Liverpool, Salineville and Steubenville. At the close of the ceremonies a beautiful Bible was presented the Lodge by the wives and daughters of the members.

February 3, 1874, the new Hall of Harrison Lodge, No.219, at Cadiz. An able address was delivered ¾ by Brother Arnold.

October 8, the new Hall of Bridgeport Lodge, No.181. The Lodge having secured a lease on its rooms for ninety-nine years at a fair rental. He compliments all these Lodges on the neat, commodious, and well furnished Halls they have secured, and their marked prosperity.

He issued proxies to dedicate Masonic Halls, to the following Brothers:
Brother Henry Talbott, to dedicate the new Hall of Hartsgrove Lodge, No.397, at Hartsgrove, Bro. S. A. Hathaway delivered the address; Bro. Sidney Moore, R. W. J. G. W., the Hall of Ashley Lodge, No.407, at Ashley, Delaware County; Bro. Mills Gardner, the new Hall of Frankfort Lodge, No.309, at Frankfort, Ross County; Bro. C. B. Laughead, the new Hall of Racine Lodge, No.461, at Racine, Meigs County; Bro. A. H. Newcomb, P. G. M., the new Hall of Wauseon Lodge, No.349, at Wauseon, Fulton County; Bro. James W. Underhill, the new Hall of Juilliard Lodge, No.460, at Louisville, Stark County; Bro. L. C. Bailey, the new Hall of Oliver Lodge, No.447, at Caledonia, Marion County; the Masonic Temple at Ashland, erected by Ashland Lodge, No.151, which was dedicated June 24, 1874; Bro. Virgil F. Shaw, the new Hall of Baltimore Lodge, No.475, at Baltimore, Fairfield County; the new Hall of Lake Shore Lodge, No.307, at Madison, Lake County; Bro. Matt H. Watt, to lay the corner stone of a new city building at Chillicothe, which was laid with due Masonic ceremonies, September 24, 1874.

On October 3, 1874, issued special dispensation to Moriah Lodge, No.105, at Powhatan Point, Belmont County, to appear in public procession and dedicate a monument erected over the remains of a deceased Brother, no report yet received.

At the close of last session special proxies were issued to the following Brothers to constitute the Lodges chartered at that session:

Brother Wm. Lawson, Gallia Lodge, No.469;
J. Q. Mitchell, Bishopville Lodge, No.470;
Wm. Orr, Jenkins Lodge, No.471;
Matt H. Watt, Zaleski Lodge, No.472;
John Chapman, Richmond Lodge, No.473;
A. H. Newcomb, P. G. M., Edon Lodge, No.474;
M. D. Brock, P. D. G. M., Baltimore Lodge, No.475;
S. C. Bailey, Humboldt Lodge, No.476; all of whom performed the duties promptly.

A very large number of special dispensations were granted to elect and install Officers, the list covering over a page of the closely printed record, and the Grand Master says possibly in the rush of business, a few got away without being noted or recorded, and adds: "The list is a large one, much larger than usual, resulting from the time of meeting of many Lodges being dependent upon the moon."

"On June 24, 1874, the Grand Master attended a grand celebration of the Fraternity at Wellsville, Columbiana County, which has not been excelled by anything in eastern Ohio.

"For some months previous the anti-Masons in that vicinity had held high carnival and freely boasted that the order in the village should be crushed out. Professed ministers of the Gospel had declaimed against it from the pulpit; lectures had been delivered by itinerant humbugs, in which its enormities had been laid bare, and a feeling of bitterness against the Fraternity had been engendered and encouraged, which it was hoped by our enemies would result in the downfall of Wellsville Lodge. But in the hour of the apparent triumph of our enemies in that vicinity, the Brothers of Wellsville were equal to the emergency. They quietly arranged for a grand display on that occasion; and when the memorable day arrived, their success exceeded their most sanguine expectations. Lodges present were, New Lisbon, East Liverpool, Hammondsville, Salineville, Hanover, Minerva, Waynesburg, Alliance, Steubenville, Bridgeport and Martins Ferry, in Ohio; Beaver, Smiths Ferry, Allegheny, Pittsburgh, Rochester and New Brighton, in Pennsylvania; New Cumberland, Wellsburg and Wheeling, in West Virginia; together with a number of Commanderies in full uniform from the three states named. The procession was one of the finest I have ever seen, and the town was too small to hold the people. Over eight thousand people gathered around the speaker's stand, and listened to an eloquent and able address by our worthy Bro. Rev. W. B. Watkins, of Pittsburgh; and since that day not the sound of an anti-Mason has been heard in Wellsville, or the region round about."

Dispensations were granted for new Lodges at the following places:
November 14, 1873, Graysville, at Graysville, Monroe County
December, 1873, Kennonsburg, at Kennonsburg, Noble County
January 2, 1874, O. K., at Oak Harbor, Ottawa County
February 9, 1874, HilIman, at Youngstown, Mahoning County
February 28, 1874, Ethan's, at Farmersville, Montgomery County
February 28, 1874, Walnut Hills, at Cincinnati, Hamilton County
March 2, 1874, New Straitsville, at New Straitsville, Perry County
March 6, 1874, Conrad, at Alliance, Stark County
April 8, 1874, Ontario, at Ontario, Richland County
April 14, 1874, Ohio City, at Martins Ferry, Belmont County
May 25, 1874, Weston, at Weston, Wood County
May 25, 1874, Battin, at Commercial Point, Pick-away County
July 9, 1874, Ansonia, at Ansonia, Darke County
July 10, 1874, Dover, at Dover, Cuyahoga County
July 10, 1874, Frazeysburg, at Frazeysburg, Muskingum County
August 1, 1874, St. Albans, at Alexandria, Licking County
October 6, 1874, Amanda, at Amanda, Fairfield County
August 6, 1874, Ahiman, at Newark, Licking County; making eighteen in all.

On August 17, the Hall of Matamoras Lodge, No.374, together with its charter, jewels and effects, were destroyed by fire, and a dispensation was issued empowering them to continue labor until this session, and authorized the Lodge to meet in the I. O. O. F. Hall until they could secure a proper room, the same having been kindly tendered them. Recommended a new charter be granted the Lodge in place of the one destroyed.

Calls attention to the Temperance "Crusade," and the excitement and ill feeling engendered, to allay which and at the same time define the position of the Grand Lodge, he issued and sent to each Subordinate Lodge a circular letter, a copy of which is submitted, and is printed in the proceedings, pages 197 and 198, which be believes greatly assisted in allaying the excitement on the part of some of the Lodges.

In may, 1874, received from the Grand Master and Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge on Louisiana, a letter reporting that by reason of unusual floods a large number of the Brethren in that state were destitute and needed immediate assistance, and believing this Grand Lodge would sanction it, he sent to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, three hundred dollars of the monies of the Grand Lodge then in his hands to be applied to the immediate relief of our distressed Brethren in that state, and also issue a circular appealing to our Subordinate Lodges for donations, and our Grand Secretary reports the sum of $1,707.93 contributed by the Lodges and members of our jurisdiction and forward to the Grand Secretary of Louisiana.

The Circular and the report of the Grand Secretary showing the contribution, and forwarding same, the grateful acknowledgment of the same and notice that and Grand Secretary of Louisiana, are printed in the proceedings, pages 44 to 47 inclusive. The Grand Lodge approved the action of the Grand master in all matters connected with this subject.

Reports the payment of $872.00 to Wilstach, Baldwin & Co. For printing the proceedings of 1873, and compliments them on the quality of material and workmanship.

The Grand Treasurer's report shows a balance on hand October 19, 1874, $7,408.47. Total receipts last year, $11,690.00; disbursements, $13,233.47, excess of disbursements over receipts $1,543.47.

The Grand Secretary was ordered to have fifteen sets of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge from and including 1858 to the close of the present session bound for the use of the Grand Lodge.

(Note. The Grand Secretary will need copies of the proceedings for the years 1858, 1859, 1860, 1862 and 1868; can Lodges spare such?)

The following resolution presented by the Committee on Charters and Dispensations, was adopted.

Resolved, That all applications to Lodges to recommend dispensations for new Lodges shall be presented at a stated meeting of the Lodge, entered upon the minutes, and lie over to the next stated meeting, before a vote be taken thereon.

In his address last year, page 7, proceedings of 1873, the Grand Master reported he had granted a special dispensation to Meridian Lodge, No.234, to ballot on an application of a fellow craft for the M. M. degree at a special meeting called for that purpose, and if elected to confer the M. M. degree on him at the same special meeting; the matter was referred to the Jurisprudence Committee and was continued to this session. The committee now decides the Grand Master erred in granting the dispensation, as Rule 31 requires all balloting for degrees to be had at stated meetings and the Grand Master has no power to annul this positive rule, which decision was approved by the Grand Lodge. They also report that the Grand Lodge has no power to require Subordinate Lodges to refund to Relief Associations money voluntarily expended for the relief of their members, and that legislation to that effect would be neither prudent or proper; which was adopted.

Also that under Rule 7 of the Code, the Worshipful Master of a Lodge is amenable only to the Grand Lodge or Grand Master for his Masonic conduct; and hence he can neither be tried or punished by the Lodge for any Masonic offense committed by him during his term of office, but must be tried by the Grand Master or Grand Lodge; which was approved.

The committee did not concur with the Grand Master, that it would be beneficial to the Craft to change the rules so as to dispense with expulsion for non-payment of dues. They find Sections XXII and XXIII of the By-Laws, which are coeval with the Grand Lodge, owe their existence to the fact that our fathers found it necessary, by compulsory process, to provide means for Masonic purposes and for the expenses of the Lodge, and recommend no changes be made in the present law on that subject; which was approved by the Grand Lodge.

On the subject of one ballot for all three degrees, the committee report that the uniform rules and decisions of the Grand Lodge were in favor of a ballot for each degree, and recommend no change be made; which was approved.

At the last communication there were two reports from the Grievance Committee on the suspension of a Brother of Highland Lodge, No.38, convicted of the habitual sale of intoxicating liquors in violation of law, which was continued to this session, the minority report in favor of sustaining the suspension and the majority in favor of reversing it; on motion on majority report was sustained and adopted.

Permission was granted Clemente Amitie Lodge, No.285, to remove from Unionville to Reinersville, Morgan County, its territorial jurisdiction to remain as at present, and a majority of the Lodges to vote in favor of removal.

Pleasant Ridge Lodge No.282, was refused permission to remove to Carthage, and its present Lodge room being unfit for Masonic purpose, work was interdicted until made safe or until a suitable hall secured.

The proposition that hereafter the Grand Lodge should not pay mileage and per diem to any representative, except the Grand Lodge Officers, and the matter of compensation be left to the Lodges sending the representatives, amending Section XVIII of the By-Laws, was lost.

Rule 26 of the Code for Subordinate Lodges was amended to read as follows:

"Lodges shall deny to unaffiliated Masons the privilege of Masonic charity and Masonic burial," and Section 74 of the Code was amended by adding thereto the following:

"Nor shall any visitor be received in any Lodge who has been unaffiliated for more than one year next preceding his applying for admission as a visitor."

The Grand Secretary was authorized to have the proceedings printed and distributed.

The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence reported on the subject of the Grand Lodges of the states adopting a uniform ritual that "Masonry has a universal language which can not be changed by rituals; * *

* hence uniformity in this regard is neither important or possible, and recommend postponement indefinitely, which was adopted.

Charters were granted to the following Lodges:
Jeffersonville, No.468, at Jeffersonville, Fayette County
Gettysburg, No.477, at Gettysburg, Darke County
Hicksvil]e, No.478, at Hicksville, Defiance County
Graysville, No.479, at Graysville, Monroe County
Kennonsburg, No.480, at Kennonsburg, Noble County
Hiliman, No.481, at Youngstown, Mahoning County
Farmersville, No.482, at Farmersville, Montgomery County
Walnut Hills, No.483, at Cincinnati, Hamilton County
New Straitsville, No.484, at New Straitsville, Perry County
Ontario, No.485, at Ontario, Richland County
Ohio City, No.486, at Martins Ferry, Belmont County
Battin, No.48'7, at Commercial Point, Pickaway County
Ansonia, No.488, at Ansonia, Darke County
Dover, No.489, at Dover, Cuyahoga County
Frazeysburg, No.490, at Frazeysburg, Muskingum County
St. Albans, No.491, at Alexandria, Licking County
Ahiman, No.492, at Newark, Licking County
Avery, No.493, at Hilliards, Franklin County
The name of Ethan Lodge, at Farmersville, was elianged to Farmersville, No.482.

Dispensations of the following Lodges were continued:

Conrad, at Alliance, Stark County; Oak Harbor, at Oak Harbor, Ottawa County, the name of this Lodge changed from O. K. to Oak Harbor.

Discontinued:

Sinking Spring, U. D., at Sinking Spring, Highland County; Weston, U. D., at Weston, Wood County.

Brother Asa H. Battin was re-elected Most Worshipful Grand Master, and all the other elective Grand Officers were re-elected to fill their present stations, and all were duly installed.

Columbus was selected as the place, and Tuesday, October 19, A. D. 1875, as the time for holding the next annual communication.

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence through Bro. John D. Caldwell, submitted its report covering 51 pages, and treating a number of interesting Masonic subjects, among which are articles from the pen of that distinguished Masonic author, Wm. James Hughan of Truro, England; under the heads of "Ancient York Masons," the "Master Mason's Degree," "Sketches of Old English Lodges," the "Sloane Manuscript," and a number of other subjects from other noted Masonic writers.

He also introduces an article, presumably written by himself, styled "Our Masonic 'Brother Jonathan,'" which is a curiosity.

Under the head of "Masonry in Camps," the early Military Lodges established in America are noted, and under "The Great West," the rapid growth of Masonry in the West, and the great credit Ohio is entitled to in starting and disseminating the principles of Masonry throughout that portion of the United States, which then boasted of about 200,000 of the 500,000 then in the whole United States, the following being the summary as given in the report:

The New England States have enrolled 79,170 Masons; the Middle States 132,260 Masons; the thirteen Southern States 147,176 Masons; the Western States and Territories 197,870 Masons.

Grand Lodge convened at City Hall, Columbus, Tuesday, October 19, A. D. 1875, with Grand Master Asa H. Battin in the Chair, all the other Grand Officers, and Past Grand Masters, L. V. Bierce and A. H. Newcomb; Past Deputy Grand Masters, M. D. Brock and P. M. Wagenhals; and Past Junior Grand Warden, Kent Jarvis, and the representatives of more than a constitutional number of the Subordinate Lodges, present.

Brother Charles S. Stansbury, of Washington, D. C., M.·. W.·. Grand Master of the M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, F. & A. M., was introduced, received, and welcomed by the Grand Lodge with honors and conducted to a seat in the east.

The Grand Master read his address, reporting:

He had on three occasions refused to "make Masons at sight" and stating at length his reasons therefor.

Issued a large number of dispensations to elect and install Officers of Subordinate Lodges.

Issued proxies to competent Brothers to constitute all the Lodges chartered at last session, except Ohio City Lodge, at Martins Ferry, which was constituted by the Grand Master November 11, 1874. Addresses were delivered by the Grand Master and by Bro. Ross Alexander and Rev. Sedwick. The Brothers to whom proxies were issued promptly performed the duties assigned to them.

Special proxies were issued to the following Brothers to dedicate new Halls and lay corner stones:

D. C. Akin, to dedicate the new Hall of Clemente Amitie Lodge, No.285; M.D. Brock, P. D. G. M., the new Hall of Napthali Lodge No.262; R. E. Richards, the new Hall of Portage Lodge, No.351; J. R. Conrad, the new Hall of Unity Lodge, No.12; J. F. McKenney, to lay the corner stone of a Soldiers' Monument at Sidney, Ohio; R. H. Lansing, the corner stone of new town hall in the village of Greenfield, Ohio; R. E. Richards, to lay the corner stone of a new school building in Oak Harbor.

On November 4, 1874, the Grand Master dedicated the new Hall of New Birmingham Lodge, No.231, at New Birmingham, Rev. Bro. John Williams, of Steuhenville, delivering an address.

Dispensations for new Lodges were granted as follows:
November 6, 1874, Patriot, at Patriot, Gallia County
November 25, 1874, Hudson, at Hudson, Summit County
November 27, 1874, South Point, at South Point, Lawrence County
January 1, 1875, Homeworth, at Homeworth, Columbiana County
January 1, 1875, Quaker City, at Quaker City, Guernsey County
January 2, 1875, Heher, at Williamsport, Pick-away County
March 10, 1875, Western Reserve, at West Farmington, Trumbull County
April 1, 1875, Paulding, at Paulding, Paulding County
April 15, 1875, Augusta, at Augusta, Carroll County
April 16, 1875, Ellsworth, at Cleveland
June 30, 1875, Evansport, at Evansport, Defiance County
June 30, 1875, Kilgore, at Kilgore, Carroll County

Owing to unexpected delays in completing its building, Kilgore Lodge has not organized and recommend. it be continued one year. A number of these Lodges have procured Halls owned by themselves, which is commended.

Pleasant Ridge Lodge, No.282, having made its Hall perfectly safe, was permitted to resume labor.

The Grand Master calls attention to the misunderstanding and friction arising between Masonic bodies by reason of the adoption at the last Grand communication of the report of the Jurisprudence Committee on the subject of "Masonic Funerals" (page 59, proceedings 1874), and "Union with other Societies" and the correspondence and action of the Grand Commandery Knights Templars of Ohio, and recommends a modification of the same, which was referred to the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence, which reported a modification of their former definition and report, and recommended the repeal and rescission of the report of 1874, which after discussion was adopted, and the cause for misunderstanding removed (pages 44 and 45, proceedings 1875).

The Grand Master reported a number of decisions made by him and requested they be duly considered by the Grand Lodge.

He called attention to the subject of the Colored Grand Lodge of Ohio, which was referred to a select committee, and that portion of his address and the report of the committee is printed in the appendix, pages 6 to 10.

The Deputy Grand Master presented his report stating he had issued dispensations for the following new Lodges:

December 25, 1874, West Side, at Cleveland, Cuyahoga County
March 4, 1875, Woodward, at Cleveland, Cuyahoga County
April 7, 1875, Stonington, at North Amherst, Lorain County
May 12, 1875, Andover, at Andover, Ashtabula County

A telegram of condolence on the death of Bro. John M. S. McCorkle, Past Grand Master of Kentucky, and for many years the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, was sent to the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, F. & A. M., and a response received, both of which are printed in the proceedings.

The Grand Treasurer submitted his report showing a balance on hand October 19, 1875, $6,698.82.

The Committee on Jurisprudence reported the following decisions as to trials. That in cases of conviction of a Brother in a civil court for violation of law, charges must be preferred and trial had as in other cases, the record of conviction to be prima facie evidence of guilt, but subject to explanation; and in cases of nonpayment of dues charges must be made and trial had as in other cases; and that Section 18 of the Code applies to candidates for advancement who have been rejected; all of which were approved by the Grand Lodge.

The Grand Lodge of the province of Manitoba, the Grand Lodge of Prince Edward Island, and the Grand Lodge of Dakota, recently organized, were recognized and welcomed by a unanimous vote.

Brother Charles S. Stansbury, an officer of the National Monumental Society to complete the monument to Washington, addressed the Grand Lodge, and the Grand Lodge voted to appropriate one thousand dollars, and requested its Subordinate Lodges to contribute liberally to the project.

The application of Pleasant Ridge Lodge, No.282, to hold its communications at Pleasant Ridge six months and at Lockland six months each year, was refused.

The select committee on the celebration of the Masonic Centennial, reported reviewing the establishment of Masonry in Ohio, by American Lodge, No.1, located at Marietta, and offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That a special communication of this Grand Lodge be held at Marietta, Ohio, on the 26th of June, 1876, to unite with American Lodge, No.1, its eldest born, in celebrating the centennial of that Lodge, and that of the nation as well.

A proposition to increase the Grand Lodge dues from twenty-five cents to fifty cents per member, was indefinitely postponed.

The mileage of the officers and members of the Grand Lodge was reduced from one dollar and fifty cents for each twenty-five miles travel to one dollar and twenty-five cents.

Charters were granted for the following new Lodges:
Conrad, No.494, at Alliance, Stark County
Oak Harbor, No.495 at Oak Harbor, Ottawa County
Patriot, No.496, at Patriot, Gallia County
South Point, No.497, at South Point, Lawrence County
West Side, No.498, at Cleveland, Cuyahoga County
Homeworth, No.499, at Homeworth, Columbiana County
Quaker City, No.500, at Quaker City, Guernsey County
Heber, No.501, at Williamsport, Piekaway County
Paulding, No.502, at Paulding, Paulding County
Stonington, No.503, North Amherst, Lorain County
Augusta, No.504, at Augusta, Carroll County
Ellsworth, No.505, at Cleveland, Cuyahoga County
Andover, No.506, at Andover, Ashtabula County
Western Reserve, No.507, at West Farmington, Trumbull County
Woodward, No.508, at Cleveland, Cuyahoga County

The following Lodges were continued under dispensation:
Hudson, at Hudson, Summit County; Evansport, at Evansport, Defiance County; Amanda, at Amanda, Fairfield County.

Dispensations were refused for the following:
Hathaway, at Chester, Geauga County; Sager, at Lafayette, Allen County.

The Grand Master presented Bro. Kent Jarvis, a Past Junior Grand Warden, who has been fifty-three eyars a Mason, and is the president of the "Masonic Veterans of Ohio," who was cordially greeted, and delivered an address.

Brother Charles A. Woodward, of Cleveland, was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master, and Bro. William Cunningham, of Newark, Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, and they with the other Grand Officers were duly installed. Columbus was selected as the place, and Tuesday, October 17, A. D. 1876, as the time for holding the next annual Grand Communication.

The subject of the Colored Grand Lodge of Ohio was made the special order of business at 2 o'clock P. M., Wednesday, October 20, and the matter referred to a Special Committee to report at that time.

The Grand Master in his address devoted two and a half pages of the closely printed appendix to this subject (pages 6 to 8 of appendix), too lengthy for insertion here. He does not present any facts or opinions as to the legitimacy or regularity of the Colored Lodges, but makes an appeal for their recognition on "general principles." The following extracts will give an idea of the trend of his address: "One hundred years ago our patriot fathers proclaimed to the world those noble words embodying great truths that shook the thrones of monarchs as an earthquake. All men are created free and equal, endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They were the foundation of a great republic, which, having stood the test of time, the shocks of foreign and intestine wars, is now, at the close of the first century, greater, stronger, more powerful than ever before, and like the Temple of Solomon, the wonder and admiration of the world. Our people are indeed free. * * *

"For nearly a century there has existed in this country an organized body of men who are generally known as 'Colored Masons.' * * * They claim to be in possession of the same secrets as ours, * * * that they derive their authority from legal sources, and are * * * legal Masons.

"If they are possessed of the same knowledge which we claim, then the legality of their organizations became involved; and here a question arises that probably can never be settled in a manner entirely satisfactory to the Masonic world. But whatever may have been their origin, their existence is undisputed; their Grand and Subordinate Lodges are in our midst; * * * they are asking recognition at the hands of the Grand Lodges in America, and the question must be met by us. * * *

"At present, in our own country, we can not recognize Masons receiving light in Colored Lodges. We are presented in our own state with the anomaly of two Grand Lodges, each with a number of Subordinate Lodges, * * * and yet the one is not permitted to recognize the other, and all intercourse between the two prohibited. In this great centennial year, whilst liberty and equality are shed abroad through our great nation, is it not right and proper that we, as Masons, shall at least attempt to bring about, by proper means and in a legal manner, a union of these two Grand Lodges in one state? If there is any illegality in the organization of either (?), let it be healed."

The committee reported Wednesday afternoon, at length stating they did not attempt to discuss or enter into the history of the so-called "Colored Freemasonry" or its legitimacy at the present time, yet they find a Colored Grand Lodge with a number of Subordinates in this state, and they offered for adoption a resolution providing in substance, that if the so-called Colored Grand Lodge would change its name and constitutional title so that it shall read as follows: "The African Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Massons of the state of Ohio," this Grand Body will recognize it as a legitimate and Independent Grand Lodge.

After discussion thereon, Bro. Lewis H. Williams, Worshipful Master of Russellville Lodge, No.166, and elected as R.·. W.·. Junior Grand Warden, moved that final action on the subject matter of the Colored Grand Lodge as above, be deferred until the next annual communication, which was agreed to.

The Grand Secretary was directed to publish a separate pamphlet, containing the address of the Grand Master on this subject, the memorial submitted by W. T. Boyd and others relative thereto, the report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, and all other reports and papers submitted on the subject, and to distribute the same to the Subordinate Lodges of this state and Grand Lodges.

This was done making a pamphlet of 58 pages, under the title of "New Day, New Duty," and the same was also included in the printed proceedings of that year, being the first 58 pages of the appendix, and prepared by the friends and advocates of the adoption of the report of the committee, and containing every paper, document and argument that could be presented or advanced in its favor, including a statement of the formation and subsequent action of what was known as the "Prince Hall Lodge," in Massachusetts, afterwards known as "The African Lodge," No.459, afterwards registered as No.370, and which was borne on the rolls of the Grand Lodge of England from 1789 to 1813, and then stricken and dropped from the rolls; but neglected to call attention to the report of Bro. William Seward Gardner, M.·. W.·. Grand Master of Masons of Massachusetts, to the Grand Lodge of that state in 1870, wherein he claims to show conclusively that by its action in 1827, June 18 (if it had an existence at that time in view of it being stricken from the roll of the Grand Lodge of England, in 1813), in declaring itself independent by reason of the Grand Lodge of England refusing to recognize it or restore it to the rolls, its existence came to an end; and if not then, that afterwards in 1847 when the Colored Lodges formed a "National Grand Lodge," African Lodge of Boston surrendered its charter and on December 11, 1847, received its present charter from that body, and that by reason of these acts the original charter has become extinct and forfeited. This report was made to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in response to a petition from Colored persons claiming to be Masons, and asking to be recognized as such; and the report was unanimously adopted and the petitioners had leave to withdraw their petition. This report will be found on pages 79 and 80 of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ohio for 1870.

The publication and distribution of this pamphlet gave rise to a heated discussion of the subject in and through the various Masonic periodicals of the day, and in the proceedings of the various Grand Lodges, those in favor of the adoption of the report of the committee relying principally on the claims and statements set out in the pamphlet, with some additional statements as to records, and the proceedings in relation to the action of the African Lodge, and the so-called National Grand Lodge. The proposition met with strong protests from nearly all quarters of this country, and from England. From some of the states, and especially from Massachusetts, and practically all over the west, the opposition was bitter.

The London Freemason, in an article, which is copied in the Masonic Review of February, 1876 (Vol.48, page 19), reviews the subject and coincides with Brother Gardner, Grand Master of Massachusetts, that African Lodge in 1813 was defunct, and could only be resuscitated by application to and by the vote and action of the Grand Lodge of England, from which it derived its original charter, and among other things says: "Prince Hall Lodge was an irregular and clandestine gathering of Masons, and had neither legal, Masonic status or authority.

Probably the best, calmest, most accurate and exhaustive article on the subject was contributed by Bro. Josiah H. Drummond, Past Grand Master of Maine, who was and is recognized as one of the best qualified and posted authorities on Masonic Jurisprudence in the United States, and which will be found on pages 261 to 270, inclusive of the July, 1876, number of the Masonic Review, Vol. 48.

After a careful review of the whole subject he announces his conclusion that the Colored Lodges are not regnlar, and says: "We can not see, therefore, that the Masons of today can do anything of the character proposed by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, or that they are called upon to recognize, or that they can recognize, without a violation of the landmarks of Masonry, the organizations to which the resolutions of that Grand Lodge relate."

Brother Cornelius Moore, editor of the Masonic Review; Bro. Albert G. Mackey, author of Mackey's Encyclopedia; and one of the editors of the Voice of Masonry; Bro. Sereno D. Nickerson, editor of the New England Freemason; and Bro. Frank Gourley of St. Louis, in articles written by them and published in their magazines of that date, all agree with the above findings and opinions.

There was another very important question connected with this subject, discussed, viz.: the original and exclusive jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, within this state, over all Masonic legislation and subjects, as declared in Article XV of its Constitution, and adopted and recognized by every legitimate Grand Lodge of every state in the United States, ever since the formation of the government and the organization of Grand Lodges within the several states. This doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction was declared by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1782, and reaffirmed in1785; by the Grand Lodge of Virginia in June 24, 1779, and reaffirmed October 28, 1785; and has been upheld and reaffirmed by the Grand Lodge of Ohio and of every other state whenever the jurisdiction of the recognized Grand Lodge of any of our sister states was invaded or attempted to be invaded by any foreign or rival Grand Lodge whatever. These considerations were pressed with force and vigor by the opponents of the proposition to recognize the Colored Grand Lodge as an insurmountable objection to such recognition.

The above statements are given as a mere condensed abstract of the claims and contentions of the parties to this controversy. The various articles and documents printed on the subject would fill a large volume, and the Masonic student who desires to push his investigations further is referred to the Masonic periodicals above enumerated, and the proceedings and reports of the Foreign Correspondence Committees of the various Grand Lodges from 1875 to 1877 inclusive, where he will find both sides of the question ably, though in some instances quite bitterly and forcibly, presented.

We are merely historians, not members of a Jurisprudence Committee, and therefore do not express any opinion as to the merits of either side of the controversy. The Foreign Correspondence Committee submitted their report covering 63 pages, containing many historical facts in relation to early Masonry in England and the United States.

We give a condensed abstract of the principal subjects treated in this valuable document, thus citing the Brother who desires information, to the printed report, for the historical facts therein stated: "Washington as a Mason;" "The American Union Lodge," giving its history from its first organization as an Army Lodge, February 15, 1776, to its first meeting at Marietta, Ohio, June 28, 1790, with extracts from its minutes to June 24, 1792, and its recognition by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania May 21, 1792, and by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts December 6, 1791; "First Royal Arch Masonry in Ohio," organized under the auspices of American Union Lodge, No.1, at Marietta; "Royal Arch Masonry in Cincinnati" in 1794.

"Lodges forming the Grand Lodge of Ohio," giving their organization, from whence they derived their charters, early Officers, etc.; "Nova Cesarea Lodge, Cincinnati," the history of its charter from Grand Lodge of New Jersey, and its organization December 27, 1794; "The Rite of Perfection" in Albany, N. Y., in 1761; "Washington Monument" with a cut of the proposed monument when completed.

The proceedings also contain a memorandum of the Organization of "Masonic Veterans of Ohio," with their minutes and a list of members to date, and an excellent portrait of Bro. Kent Jarvis, the present president of the association, who has been a Mason for fifty-three years.

Grand Lodge convened at City Hall, Columbus, Tuesday, October 17, A. D. 1876, with Grand Master Charles A. Woodward in the Chair, all the other Grand Officers, Past Grand Masters, L. V. Bierce, George Rex, A. H. Newcomb, and Past Deputy Grand Master, M. D. Brock, present, and over two hundred Lodges represented.

The Grand Master read his address, reporting that he had constituted the following Lodges chartered at last communication November 2, 1875, Stonington, at Amherst; November 8, West Side, at Cleveland; November 10, Woodward, at Cleveland; and had issued special proxies to competent Brothers to constitute the balance of said chartered Lodges, all of whom promptly discharged the duties assigned to them.

That he had issued dispensations for two new Lodges, as follows:

October 26, 1875, Leanore, at Midway, Madison County.
January 22, 1876, Sager, at Lafayette, Allen County.

The charter of Winchester Lodge, No.236, having been destroyed by tire, issued a dispensation to them. authorizing the Lodge to continue meetings until this session, and recommend a new charter be granted.

A petition for a new Lodge at Canal Fulton, Stark County, received a few days since, is submitted for action by the Grand Lodge.

Special proxies were issued to the following Brothers to dedicate Halls and lay corner stones of buildings:

April 8, 1877, Bro. John M. Barrere, to dedicate new Hall of Highland Lodge, No.38, at Hillsboro, Highland County, dedicated May 25, 1877; April 17, Bro. J. Kelly O'Neal, to dedicate the new Hall of Morrow Lodge, No.265, at Morrow, Warren County, dedicated May 18, with the assistance of Bro. Jacob Randall, R.·. W.·. Grand Tyler, and Bro. T. J. Melish; June 14, Bro. W. M. Cunningham, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master, to lay the corner stone of a new court house to be erected in Newark, Licking County; June 27, Bro. J. N. Burr, to lay the corner stone of a Soldiers' Monument at Mount Vernon, Knox County; July 10, Bro. J. H. Johnson, to lay the corner stone of a new High School building to be erected at Dresden, Muskingum County; August 22, Bro. Past Grand Master A. H. Newcomb, to lay the corner stone of a new schoolhouse to be erected in the town of Nevada, Wyandot County.

In conformity with the resolution adopted at last session a special communication of the Grand Lodge was opened at Marietta, June 24, 1876, for the purpose of uniting with American Union Lodge, No.1, in celebrating its centennial anniversary.

A procession was formed and marched through the principal streets to the college grounds, where the exercises were opened by an impressive prayer by our R.·. W.·. Grand Chaplain A. G. Byers. M.·. W.·. Bro Richard Vaux, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, who had been chosen orator of the day, delivered an eloquent, interesting and instructive address, and was followed by Bro. Cornelius Moore, who in a very able manner reviewed the history of American Union Lodge from its organization to the present time. Bro. J. D. Caldwell, our R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary, then presented the ancient records of the Lodge, reading extracts therefrom, after which the Grand Master delivered an address, and the exercises were closed by Bro. George T. Hovey, Worshipful Master of the Lodge, in a few well chosen and appropriate remarks. The attendance of the Masonic Brethren and the citizens of the city and surrounding country was large.

The report of the Grand Treasurer was submitted showing a balance in the treasury, October 17, 1876, $4,295.39.

The proposed recognition of an African Lodge in Ohio, was called up the first day and after discussion and a number of motions and points of order, the matter was fixed as the special order of business for Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock. On Wednesday morning the matter was called up when Bro. William M. . Cunmugham, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master filed in writing his point of order, as follows:

"Any regulation affecting in any manner the status of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, its absolute individuality, or its superiority within its own jurisdiction, must be construed as an amendment of Article XV of the Constitution, and must be treated in the same manner as any other amendment thereto," and cited the Preamble of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and Article XV of the Constitution, copying the same in full.

A discussion ensued, after which the Grand Master decided the point of order not well taken. Brother Cunningham appealed from the decision of the M.·. W.·. Grand Master, and a call was made for a vote by Lodges and by yeas and nays of Grand Officers. The elected Grand Officers were called. The roll of Lodges was called and votes recorded on the question, "Shall the decision of the Grand Master be sustained as the opinion of the Grand Lodge?"

rending the addition of the column and declaration of the result, Bro. F. T. Carson moved that the tally sheets and credential lists be referred to a select committee of three in connection with the Grand Secretary to compare the same and to report without delay to the Grand Lodge, which proposition on motion was laid on the table.

The vote as taken and canvassed shows the vote as cast by each representative and Grand Officer, the report covering nearly fourteen pages of the proceedings, and resulted in not sustaining the decision of the Grand Master; the votes of the representatives showing 329 votes in favor of sustaining the Grand Master, and 889 against it, three Grand Officers voting in favor and one against it.

The Grand Master on the announcement of the result, being a majority of votes nay over votes yea, declared the decision of the Grand Master, on the appeal of Brother Cunningham, was not sustained.

The next day Bro. W. B. Sloan, J. W. of O. H. Perry Lodge, No.341, Port Clinton, presented a preamble reciting the decision of the Grand Master on the point of order raised by Bro. W. M. Cunningham, his appeal from the Grand Master's decision and the failure of the Grand Lodge to sustain the Grand Master, and offered the following resolution:

"Be it resolved, That Section XV of the Masonic Code be amended by adding thereto the following:

"Provided that the words 'Exclusive jurisdiction over all the subjects of Masonic legislation shall not be construed to prohibit this Grand Lodge from having the power to recognize or delegate any authority to Lodges, or other Masonic Powers, as in its wisdom it may deem expedient.'"

This preamble and resolution failed to be seconded by the required majority of votes, could not be submitted to the Subordinate Lodges for their approval, as designed by the mover, and therefore it failed; and the further agitation of the subject ended, and was not afterwards revived in the Grand Lodge.

Charters were granted to the following Lodges, U. D.:
Amanda, No.509, at Amanda, Fairfield County
Hudson, No.510, at Hudson, Summit County
Evansport, No.511, at Evansport, Defiance County
Leanore, No.512, at Midway, Madison County
Sager, No.513, at Lafayette, Allen County

The dispensation of Kilgore Lodge, U. D., at Kilgore, Carroll County, was continued to next session.

The petition for a dispensation for a new Lodge at Canal Fulton, in Stark County, was not granted.

New charters issued to Aberdeen Lodge, No.149, and Winchester Lodge, No.236, in lieu of originals destroyed by accident, they paying the fees therefor.

Brother Charles A. Woodward was re-elected M.·. W.·. Grand Master, and all the other elective Grand Officers were re-elected to their present stations and all were installed.

Columbus was selected as the place, and Tuesday, October 16, A. D. 1877 the time for holding the next annual communication.

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence submitted its report, the larger portion of which is devoted to the Colored Mason subject, and in view of the large space devoted to it in the past year we will not enlarge on the subject and leave it to those who desire to pursue the subject further to read the report.

From the statistics it appears there are now in the United States 53 Grand Lodges in correspondence with each other, 10,215 Subordinate Lodges with 595,000 Masons and 47,000 Knights Templars.

This report contains a long letter from the noted Mason and author, Wm. James Hughan, to the Grand Lodge of Ohio, covering twelve closely printed pages of the appendix (pages 151 to 163), which is replete with information relating to old Freemasons and Free-masonry in Europe and America, and he cites an extract from the New England Post, dated August 20, 1737, under the date of Boston, June 27, and giving an account of a meeting of the Free and Accepted Masons on the feast of St. John the Baptist, and the transaction of some business, "After which the Society attended the Grand Master in procession to his Excellency, Governor Belcher, and from thence the Governor was attended by the Grand Master and the Brotherhood to the Royal Exchange Tavern in King street where they had an elegant entertainment. It being the first procession in America they appeared in the proper badges of their Order, some gold and some silver. The procession was closed by the Grand Master." Want of space forbids further extracts.

Announcement is made in the last pages of the proceedings of the death of Past Grand Master L. V. Bierce, at Akron, November 11, A. D. 1876. Born at Cornwall, Litchfield County, Conn., August 4, 1801; initiated E. A. at Ravenna, August 10, 1826; F. C., October 12, 1826; M. M., October 12, 1826; appointed S. G. D. of Grand Lodge, October, 1850; elected J. G. W., October, 1851, reelected 1852, and elected Grand Master, 1853.

A Special Communication of the Grand Lodge was held at the Masonic Temple, Akron, November 15, to attend his funeral; Grand Master C. A. Woodward presiding, and J. D. Caldwell, Grand Secretary, and other Grand Officers and a large concourse of Brethren present; and his remains deposited in mother earth with full Masonic honors. A full account of the services and the action of the Bar Association, of Summit County, is printed in the appendix to the proceedings.

The announcement is also made of the death of Bro. Joseph B. Covert, of Cincinnati, Past Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge, and his burial in Spring Grove cemetery. He was born at Lebanon, Ohio, then in the Northwestern Territory, February 6, 1798; initiated in N. C. Harmony Lodge, Cincinnati, December 5, 1823, and served as Tyler of that Lodge over a quarter of a century; and as Grand Tyler of all the Ohio Masonic Bodies from 1848 to 1864; and as Captain of the Guard of the Grand Encampment of the U. S. Knights Templars in 1865, at Columbus.

The Grand Lodge of Ohio presented him a costly sword as a token of esteem, which he highly prized.

Grand Lodge convened at City Hall, Columbus, Tuesday, October 16, A. D. 1877, with Grand Master Chas. A. Woodward in the Chair, all the other Grand Officers, and Past Grand Masters, George Rex and A. H. Newcomb; and Past Deputy Grand Master, M. N. Brock, present, and over two hundred Lodges represented.

The Grand Master read his address, announced the deaths of Past Grand Master, L. V. Bierce, Past Grand Tyler J. B. Covert, notices of which were, inserted in the proceedings of 1876; also the sudden death in a railroad disaster at Ashtabula, of Past Grand Chaplain, Rev. A. H. Washburn, on December 29, 1876; of Past Junior Grand Warden, Kent Jarvis, on January 15, 1877; and of Past Deputy Grand Master, Edgar A. Hopkins, July 3, 1877 calls attention to the fact that at the last session the proposition to amend Article 17 of the Code so as to require only one ballot for the three degrees was adopted, but on the last day was reconsidered and the former action rescinded so the article remains unchanged, and he again recommends careful consideration of the subject.

Special proxies were issued to competent Brothers to constitute the Lodges chartered at the last session, and the duties promptly performed.

Dispensations for the following new Lodges were issued:
November 21, 1876, Elliott, at Canal Fulton, Stark County
December 4, 1876, Tymochtee, at Marseilles, Wyandot County
May 2, 1877, Pemberville, at Pemberville, Wood County

Recently received petition for dispensation for a new Lodge, at Belpre, Washington County, which is referred to the Grand Lodge for action.

The charters of Pomeroy Lodge, No.164, and Thatcher Lodge, No.439, were destroyed by fire, and dispensations were issued permitting them to continue work until this session; new charters should be issued to them.

The Hall of Marion Lodge, No.70, was destroyed by fire, and dispensation issued authorizing the Lodge to occupy temporarily the Hall of the I. O. O. F.

The Hall of Warsaw Lodge No.255, was destroyed by fire, and as no suitable Hall could be secured in Warsaw, dispensation issued permitting the Lodge to hold its meetings in the town of Spring Mountain until the present session.

The Hall of St. Albans Lodge, No.491, was destroyed by fire, and dispensation issued permitting the Lodge to occupy temporarily the I. O. O. F. Hall.

On January 4, 1877, drew a warrant in favor of the Methodist Book Concern for $759.84, for printing and binding the proceedings of the Grand Lodge for 1876.

Special proxies were issued to the following Brothers to dedicate Masonic Halls and public buildings and lay corner stones:

November 13, Bro. Leander Burdick, to dedicate the new Hall of Tu-en-da-wie Lodge, No.195, at Defiance, Williams County; July 17, Bro. Wm. Bitter, to lay the corner stone of a town hall in Bellville, Richland County; October 3, Bro. J. M. Goodspeed, to lay the corner stone of a new Masonic building to be erected at Athens, Athens County.

The Grand Master on September 14, 1877, laid the corner stone of a new city hall building to be erected at Fremont.

Calls attention to the Masonic Review, now the oldest continuous Masonic publication in the world, being in its 50th volume, and to the interesting sketches of some of the oldest Ohio Lodges, and recommends the Brethren to support the publication.

The Grand Treasurer submitted his report showing a balance on hand October 16, 1877, $3,397.05.

Hanselmann Lodge, No.208, of Cincinnati, presented a preamble and resolution that a committee of five be appointed to report to the Grand Lodge as to the legitimacy and the expediency of recognizing the African Grand Lodge of Ohio, and the expediency of absorbing them in our own Grand Lodge organization.

Brother L. H. Pike moved the adoption of the resolution, Bro. William H. Cunningham, D. G. M., moved its reference to a special committee of five, and Bro. S. L. Fisher moved to lay it on the table, which latter motion was agreed to.

Afterwards Brother Thos. J. Larsh presented the following resolution:

"Resolved, That the Committee on Foreign Correspondence be directed to correspond with all the Grand Lodges of the United States, with which we are in communication, upon the subject of the Lodges of Colored Masons, with the view of agreeing upon some course of action in regard to said Lodges which shall be acceptable to the majority of said Grand Lodges, with instruction to report to the next communication of this Grand Lodge." Which was not agreed to.

Brother Thomas L. Young of Excelsior Lodge, of Cincinnati, Governor of Ohio, was presented to the Grand Lodge, and responded to the fraternal greeting extended to him.

A donation of one hundred dollars was made to Bro. Cornelius Moore, to be paid on the order of the Grand Master, as a testimonial of the valuable services he has given the Grand Lodge in the past.

The Grand Secretary in response to a circular from the Grand Lodge of Missouri as to the custom and practice in our Lodges as to caring for sick and deceased sojourning members, reports he sent out a circular to each Lodge asking their practice, and submits the answers, which are printed in the appendix, pages 70 to 85. Bro. Wm. B. Bowen, R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, sent a similar circular to the grand Lodges of the United States, and their responses will be found on pages 85 to 90 of the appendix, and in the Voice of Masonry.

The Special Committee on Obituaries reported appropriate testimonials and memorials on the deaths of Past Grand Master, L. V. Bierce, of Akron; Past Grand Tyler, Joseph B. Covert, of Cincinnati; Past Grand Chaplain, Rev. A. H. Washburn; Past Junior Grand Warden, Kent Jarvis, of Massillon; and Bro. Ferdinand Wilmer, of Fremont, which was approved and their biographical sketches printed in the appendix, pages 109 to 112.

The proposition submitted by Brother Ross at the last annual session, (page 46, proceedings of 1876), that the fiscal year of the Grand Lodge shall close on August 31, of each year, and each Lodge shall file its annual report with the Grand dues with the Grand Secretary on or before September 30, of each year, or be denied mileage and per diem, and laid over to this session, was taken up and adopted, and is now in force.

An interesting history of the formation and territory comprising the six districts for District Lecturers reported by the Grand Master in 1857, under the action of the Grand Lodge in 1856, and giving the names and date of appointment of the various District Lecturers appointed in each to date, will be found on pages 40 and 41 of the proceedings, and is useful for reference.

Charters were granted to the following Lodges, U. D.:
Elliott, No.514, at Canal Fulton, Stark County
Marseilles, No.515, at Marseilles, Wyandot County
Pemberville, No.516, at Pemberville, Wyandot County

The name of the Lodge, No.515, at Marseilles, was changed from Tymochtee to Marseilles.

Dispensations were granted for new Lodges at Liberty Center, Henry County; and Akron, Summit County.

Dispensation for a Lodge at Belpre, was refused, all adjoining Lodges not having consented. The dispensation for Kilgore Lodge was recalled, the Lodge not being self-sustaining.

The petition of Epler Lodge, No.458, to remove from Montra to Jackson Center, Shelby County, was granted, as was the removal of Warsaw Lodge, No.255, from Warsaw to Spring Mountain.

New charters in lieu of the originals were ordered issued to all Lodges whose charters were destroyed by fire during the past year, as reported by the Grand Master.

A proposition was submitted to appoint a committee to consider the expediency of amending the Constitution by districting the state into Grand Divisions, as well as Representative Districts, etc., and to report to the Grand Lodge at its next session, which was not agreed to.

Brother William M. Cunningham, of Newark, was elected and installed M.·. W.·. Grand Master, and Bro. Reuben C. Lemmon, of Toledo, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master.

Dayton was selected as the place, and Tuesday,

October 15, A. D. 1878, as the time of holding the next annual communication.

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence submitted their report covering 123 pages; a good portion of which is taken up by the subject of "Colored Masons and Colored Lodges," to which those interested in the discussion of that subject are referred for additional information. However there is also a fund of information in relation to early Masonry in America and Europe, that is well worth careful perusal and consideration by every Brother interested in the rise and progress of Masonry in this country, and the lives of the eminent Brothers who fought its battles in those troublesome times.

Grand Lodge convened at Gebhart's Hall, Dayton, Tuesday, October 10, A. D. 1878, with Grand Master William M. Cunningham in the Chair, and all the other Grand Officers, except the Grand Treasurer, present, also Past Grand Master A. H. Newcomb, and Past Deputy Grand Master M. D. Brock, and the representatives from over two hundred Lodges.

The Grand Master read his annual address, reporting that he had issued proxies as follows:

October 29, 1877, Bro. Chas. H. Garrigues, to constitute Elliott Lodge, No.514, at Canal Fulton, Stark County; October 31, Bro. R. E. Richards, of Toledo, to constitute Pemberville Lodge, No.516, at Pemberville, Wood County; November 20, Bro. Jonatha: Moffat, to constitute Marseilles Lodge, No.515, Marseilles, Wyandot County.

Also to the following Brothers to dedicate Masonic Halls and lay corner stones:

November 21, 1877, Bro. A. P. Taylor, to dedicate the Hall of Ohio Lodge, No.199, and install it Officers; December 10, 1877, Bro. J. L. Wilson, Worshipful Master of Fairview Lodge, No.446, to dedicate the Hall of Moriah Lodge, No.105; January 11, 1878, Bro. W. H. Phillips, of Kenton, to dedicate the Hall of Latham Lodge, No.154, at Kenton, Hardin County; May 3, Bro W. M. Shinnick, of Zanesville, to lay the corner stone of a Masonic Hall at Beverly, Ohio; June 14, Bro. G. L. Layng, of Dennison, to dedicate the Hall of Sandy Valley Lodge, No.408, at Hanoverton; June 24, Bro. A. H. Newcomb, of Toledo, to dedicate the Hall of Marion Lodge, No.70, at Marion; July 2, Bro. T. F. Blakely, of Sunbury, to lay the corner stone of a school building, at Sunbury, Delaware County; September 16 Bro. J. Kelly O'Neal, to dedicate the Hall of Goshen Lodge, No.119, at Goshen, Clermont County; October 7, Bro. J. W. Underhill, to lay the corner stone of s courthouse, at Wooster, Wayne County.

The duties assigned to the above Brothers have all been discharged with ability and promptness.

Dispensations have been issued for three new Lodges, as follows:
March 26, 1878, Mt. Blanchard, at Mt. Blanchard, Hancock County
January 22, 1878, Newtonsville, at Newtonsville, Clermont County
July 11, 1878, Sycamore, at Deshler, Ottawa County

Petitions were also received for dispensations for new Lodges at Junction City, Perry County; and Belpre, Washington County; but too late to perfect. They are submitted to the Grand Lodge for action.

The Grand Master also calls attention to the fact that "Complaint has been made by Brethren in different parts of the state concerning the compilation of the printed proceedings of this Grand Body for 1877."

"As upon examination, it will be found that the so-called printed proceedings of this Grand Lodge for the year mentioned, contains so much matter therein entire foreign to the frequently expressed views of this Grand Body, that the title Proceedings of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Ohio," is an evident misnomer. In this connection also, the injection of personal opinions in the "headlines" of the daily transactions of this Grand Body whilst it was in session, as on pages 38 and 39, the insertions of individual opinions of the compiler in vindication of his personal views upon questions heretofore settled by this Grand Lodge, and the compilation of matter contrary to its previously expressed views concerning bodies of which this Grand Body is not in communication, is a breach of Masonic etiquette that should not be permitted to pass unnoticed at my hands.

"The long and faithful service, however, of the Grand Officer entrusted by you with the duties of compilation, warrants me in believing that it is only necessary to call his attention thereto, in this official manner, to prevent its repetition in the future."

Calls attention to the financial embarrassment of the Grand Treasurer, his resignation, and the appointment of Bro. Theodore P. Gordon as Grand Treasurer to fill the vacancy, and the filing of his bond as such, and his installation.

The Grand Master opened special communications of the Grand Lodge for the following purposes:

May 24, 1878, to dedicate a Masonic Hall, at Newark; June 24, to dedicate a Masonic Hall, at Athens; July 17, to lay the corner stone of the Franklin County Orphans' Home near Columbus, under the auspices of the Masonic Bodies of that city; September 18, to lay the corner stone of a Universalist Church, at Akron, at request of the Masonic Lodges of that city.

Made a large number of visits to various Lodges, to install their Officers, attend reunions, banquets, etc.

Attended the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of New York, at Grand Lodge Hall in the Masonic Temple in the city of New York, in June last, and was received in a most courteous and fraternal manner, and accorded the full honors due this Grand Lodge and its Grand Master.

Calls attention to the valuable services rendered by the District Lecturers, and recommends the action of the Grand Lodge at the 1876 session whereby they were deprived of mileage and per diem, and excused from attendance at Grand Lodge, unless specially so ordered by the Grand Master, be rescinded.

In response to an appeal from three sister grand jurisdictions for help on account of the destitution and suffering occasioned by the prevalence of yellow fever therein, the Grand Master appointed a disbursing committee composed of Brothers John D. Caldwell, Chas. A. Woodward, Reuben C. Lemon and Theo. P. Gordon, and on August 23, 1878, issued a circular to the Lodges in this state asking for contributions, which was promptly and fraternally responded to and over six thousand dollars received and disbursed for that purpose by the committee, in addition to the large amount of individual donations of members of our fraternity disbursed through other channels.

The Grand Lodge of New Mexico was recognized, and action on the Grand Lodge of Ontario and the Grand Lodge of Cuba, was deferred.

The Grand Lodge decided that no further legislation was necessary in the matter of District Lecturers, and refused to consider the proposition offered by Bro. Emil Kahn, to amend the resolution of 1871 (page 64), defining Masonic offense, 'by exempting hotel and restaurant keepers who sell alcoholic liquors from its terms.

The report of the late Grand Treasurer, F. J. Phillips, was submitted showing the balance in his hands and due the Grand Lodge: general fund, $3,504.52; balance of charity fund, $547.50; total, $4,052.02.

The Committee on Ways and Means reported the receipts are not sufficient to pay the expenses this year and recommend the mileage for this year be reduced from ten to six cents, which was unanimously adopted.

A number of amendments to the present laws as to payment of mileage and per diem by the Grand Lodge, were offered and under the rules are held over to the next session for action.

The Select Committee on the Fund for Yellow Fever Sufferers, reported the receipts from donations, $5,514.45; disbursed, $5,238.86; leaving a balance in hands of the Grand Secretary, $275.59.

The committee heartily commend the M.·. W.·. Grand Master and R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary for their prompt action in this matter, and the Masonic Bodies for their liberal and hearty response to the appeal, concluding, "May He who rules in this universe bless both the donors and the recipients of this most magnificent charity."

The cordial thanks of the Grand Officers of Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, were promptly tendered the Craft in Ohio for the aid and sympathy so heartily given.

All of the decisions of the Grand Master were approved by the Committee on Jurisprudence, and by the Grand Lodge.

Brother Caldwell from the Foreign Correspondence Committee asked further time to complete his report, and that the same be submitted to the M.·. W.·. Grand Master for publication with the proceedings, which was granted.

Brother William M. Cunningham was re-elected M.·. W.·. Grand Master, and the other elective Grand Officers were re-elected to their present stations, all were duly installed and the Grand Lodge voted to hold its next annual communication at Cincinnati, Tuesday, October 21, A. D. 1879.

Charters were granted to the following Lodges, U. D.:
Adoniram, No.517, at Akron, Summit County
Liberty Center, No.518, at Liberty Center, Henry County
Mt. Blanchard, No.519, at Mt. Blanchard, Hancock County

The dispensation for a Lodge at Kilgore, Carroll County, recalled at last session, was reconsidered and granted to continue until next session.

A charter was refused Newtonsville, Clermont County.

Dispensations were refused Junction City, Perry County and Belpre, the papers not being in proper form.

The dispensation for a Lodge at Deshler to be named Sycamore Lodge, was continued.

The petition of Painesville Lodge, No.412, and Temple Lodge, No.28, to consolidate was granted, to be hereafter known as Temple Lodge, No.28; and the members of No.412, to be transferred to No.28, both Lodges being located at Painesville.

A Masonic calendar of the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge from 1808 to 1878 inclusive, with the places of holding the annual communications, etc., is printed in the appendix, pages 65 to 89 of the proceedings with a condensed table on pages 85 and 86, and including a calendar of the United States, showing when organized, pages 79 to 84; being very valuable for reference.

The report of the Foreign Correspondence Committee covers two pages, 157 and 158.

The Masonic Veterans met and were entertained by Reed Commandery K. T. in their spacious rooms, with an elegant banquet, after which a large number of new members were received, and interesting addresses delivered. Bro. John M. Barrere, President; Bro. John D. Caldwell, Secretary and Treasurer. For proceedings see pages 155 and 156, Grand Lodge proceedings.

Grand Lodge convened at Melodeon Hall, Cincinnati, Tuesday, October 21, A. D. 1879, with Grand Master William M. Cunningham in the Chair, all the Grand Officers, and Past Grand Masters A. H. Newcomb (1869), and Chas. A. Woodward (1875), present, and over two hundred Lodges represented.

A vacant chair draped in mourning with a monogram of fragrant flowers R E X, was in memory of Past Grand Master (1862-3) George Rex, deceased.

The Grand Master read his address.

Announces the death of Past Grand Master George Rex, and pays a beautiful tribute to his personal and Masonic qualities.

Dispensations continued from last session, Kilgore, at Kilgore, Carroll County; Sycamore, at Deshler, Henry County.

Dispensations for new Lodges granted, as follows:
July '7, 1879, Thornville, at Thornville, Perry County
July 25, 1879, Wakeman, at Waterville, Lucas County

The charter of Mahoning Lodge, No.394, was destroyed by fire July 2, 1879, and dispensation issued authorizing the Lodge to continue work until this session, and recommend a new charter be issued.

Proxies were issued to the following Brothers to constitute the Lodges chartered at last session:

October 24, 1878, Bro. S. S. Williams, Mt. Blanchard Lodge No.519; November 5, Bro. J. Dorr Norton, Liberty Center Lodge, No.518; December 9, Bro. C. A. Collins, Adoniram Lodge, No.517; and the following Brothers to dedicate Masonic Halls and lay corner stones of buildings:

December 11, 1878, Bro. F. W. Firman, to dedicate new Hall of Findlay Lodge, No.227; December 28, Bro. Jacob Randall, to take charge of the effects of Miami Valley Lodge, No.393, at Springboro, Warren County; April 14, 1879, Bro. Adam Frank, to dedicate the new Hall of Farmersville Lodge, No.482, at Farmersville, Montgomery County; May 16, Bro. Oakley Case, to dedicate the new Hall of Philodorian Lodge, No.157, at Nelsonville, Athens County; June 6, Bro. A. G. Byers, to lay the corner stone of Belmont County Orphans' Home, near Barnesville.

All of whom have performed the duties assigned to them.

On March 29, 1879, an emergent communication of the Grand Lodge was opened at Wooster to attend the funeral of Past Grand Master George Rex, deceased.

On June 24, a special communication at Circleville, to dedicate their Masonic Temple, under the auspices of Pickaway Lodge, No.23; Mt. Vernon Commandery, No.1, of Columbus acting as escort of the Grand Commander from Columbus to Circleville and return.

Reports a large number of visitations to install Officers, attend county conventions of Lodges, and other Masonic festivals, and refers especially to a visit to Past Grand Master William J. Reese, at Lancaster, now the oldest living Grand Master of this Grand Lodge. Grand Master from 1834 to 1842 inclusive.

Complaint having been made by a number of Brethren residing in the northwestern part of the state, that many of the Craft there were being induced to take part in the reception of illegitimate degrees unknown to and contrary to the spirit of the regulation of this Grand Lodge, the Grand Secretary was directed to address a circular to each Lodge in this jurisdiction, warning the Craft against the visitation of itinerant disseminators of unrecognized degrees.

He reports twelve decisions, and that the Grand Secretary had received two dividends from the assignee of Brother Phillips amounting to $910.80, leaving a balance due of $3,127.22.

The Grand Secretary reported that our aged Bro. Nathaniel Benjamin, attendant on this Grand Lodge for over forty years, was unable to attend in consequence of the death of a beloved daughter, and the Grand Secretary was directed to send him a letter of regret and condolence.

Brother J. D. Caldwell, Grand Secretary, introduced Bro. Theodore S. Parvin, Past Grand Master and present Grand Secretary of the M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge of Iowa, who was received with Grand Honors and addressed the Grand Lodge. He was later made an Honorary Member of the Grand Lodge, with the rank of Past Grand Secretary.

The M.·. W.·. Grand Master presented Bro. John Loring Vattier, R.·. W.·. Past Deputy Grand Master of 1847; and Bro. William B. Dodds, M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master of 1854, of Cincinnati, who were received with Grand Honors and seated in the east.

The proposition to reduce the mileage to six cents a mile was adopted by a unanimous vote.

Rule 2 of the Code was amended by adding the following: "Provided however, that so much of the By-Laws of a Subordinate Lodge as relates to, and fixes the time of the stated meetings thereof, and the a mount of the annual dues, may be altered or changed without submitting the same to the Grand Lodge for approval."

Brother T. P. Gordon, Grand Treasurer, submitted his report as follows: receipts from the Grand Secretary, $10,468.50; expenditures, $9,189.74; balance in hands of Grand Treasurer, $1,278.76.

The Committee on Accounts also reported that there was due from the late Grand Treasurer Phillips to the Grand Lodge after the payment of the dividends amounting to $910.80, a balance of $3,127.22.

Memorandum

The Grand Secretary under date of December 12, 1879, reports that he is advised by the trustees in bankruptcy of Bro. F. J. Phillips, former Grand Treasurer, that a further dividend of $405.00 was awarded to the Grand Lodge, which when paid will leave the balance due the Grand Lodge, $2,722.02 (page 111 of the proceedings).

The Committee on Obituary of Past Grand Master Geo. Rex, presented an appropriate testimonial of his private and Masonic life and character, which is printed in the proceedings (pages 61 to 62).

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence submitted its report covering eight pages, giving a condensed review of the proceedings of 39 Grand Lodges, some of them for two years.

The proposed amendment of Section XIX of the By-Laws so as to provide that Lodges shall pay the Grand Lodge thirty-five cents instead of twenty-five cents per capita tax each year, was adopted by a vote of more than three-fourths, and the per capita tax is now thirty-five cents.

A regulation for the consolidation of Lodges was presented and under the rules lies over to the next session for action.

The Grand Secretary was authorized to expend not exceeding $100.00 in binding proceedings and returns in his office, and to have the proceedings of this session printed, and distributed as usual.

The Grand Lodge decided that where a member of a Lodge is expelled for non-payment of dues and is afterwards reinstated, the Lodge should pay the Grand Lodge dues to his expulsion, not after.

Charters were granted to the following Lodges, U. D.:
Sycamore, No.520, at Deshler, Henry County
Thornville, No.521, at Thornville, Perry County
Wakeman, No.522, at Waterville, Lucas County
Kilgore, No.523, at Kilgore, Carroll County

New charters were granted to Mahoning Lodge, No.394, and Gorham Lodge, No.387, in lieu of the originals destroyed by fire; also a new charter to Glendale Lodge, No.186, formerly Springdale, No.186.

In the matter of the claim of the Masonic Board of Relief of San Francisco against Middleport Lodge, No.363, for monies expended for the relief of a member of Middleport Lodge, the committee reported, "Your committee are of the opinion that this Grand Lodge has no power to compel a subordinate to refund monies voluntarily expended by a foreign Lodge in Masonic charity to a member of the former, but we hold, and so state, as the sense of this Grand Lodge, that Masonic charity and duty require that Lodges should extend to all worthy destitute members, whether within or without their territorial jurisdiction, all needed assistance; and offer the following resolution:

"That it is the duty of Middleport Lodge, No.363, so far as it may be able, to repay to said Board of Relief whatever monies may have been necessarily expended by it in the relief of the member of their Lodge, * * * " which report was adopted.

Brother Reuben C. Lemmon, of Toledo, was elected M.·. W.·. Grand Master; Bro. Chas. C. Kiefer, of Urbana, Deputy Grand Master; Bro. Charles Brown, of Cincinnati, R.·. W.·. Grand Treasurer, and the balance of the elective Grand Officers were reelected to fill their present stations, all of whom were duly installed; the bonds of the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer in the sums of $10,000.00 each approved and filed; October 19, A. D. 1880, and Columbus, fixed as the time and place of holding the next annual communication.

A fine portrait of R.·. W.·. John D. Caldwell, Grand Secretary, faces the title page of the proceedings.

The Grand Lodge adopted the following resolution:

"Resolved, * * * That any Master Mason in good standing in his Lodge who has paid all charges against him, is entitled, upon his request, to a dimit without any condition or qualification."

A vote of thanks was tendered Gibson Brothers for their kindness in donating the use of Melodian Hall to this Grand Body, and the free use of committee rooms.

The Masonic Veterans of Ohio held their seventh anniversary. The following Officers were elected:

President, Thomas Morgan, Mechanicsburg; Vice Presidents, John H. Achey, Dayton; W. M. Cummins, Troy; Edward D. Clarke, Pataskala; W. S. Phares, Columbus, Smith H. Clarke, Shanesville; Secretary and Treasurer, John D. Caldwell, Cincinnati.

A letter of condolence was sent to Veteran Bro. N. Benjamin. A number of new members admitted (page 104).

A list of the amendments adopted to the By-Laws and Code, and decisions approved by Grand Lodge will be found on pages 104 to 110 of the proceedings.

Grand Lodge convened at City Hall, Columbus, Tuesday, October 19, A. D. 1880, with Grand Master

R. C. Lemmon in the Chair; all the elective Grand Officers; Past Grand Masters A. H. Newcomb (1869), and W. M. Cunningham (1875); and Past Deputy Grand Master M. D. Brock (1856), present, and over two hundred Lodges represented.

The Grand Master read his address reporting that he issued special proxies to the following Brothers to constitute the Lodges chartered at the last communication, and install their Officers:

C. M. Godfrey, Sycamore Lodge, No.520; S. S. Williams, Thoruville Lodge, No.521; Wm. McCoy Kilgore Lodge, No.523, all of which were promptly performed.

The Grand Master constituted Wakeman Lodge No.522, and installed its Officers, November 1, 1879.

Proxies were also issued to the following Brother to dedicate new Masonic Halls of the following Lodges:

February 24, 1880, Bro. Waters, Hall of Gorhan Lodge, No.387, Fayetteville;
May 26, 1880, Bro. R V. Hampson, Hall of Perry Lodge, No.185;
November 17, 1879, Rev. D. W. Coxe, Hall of Monticello Lodge, No.244;
June 1, 1880, Bro. D. McClure and Bro. Samuel McClure, to examine rooms of Glendale Lodge, and if suitable dedicate them;
June 16, 1880 Rev. L. F. VanCleve, Masonic Hall, at Leesburg;
July 23, 1880, Bro. A. G. Nelson, Hall of Port Washington Lodge, No.202;
July 31, 1880, Bro. R. N Patterson, to examine the new Hall and rooms of Pioneer Lodge, No.441, and if approved, dedicate them. These Brothers have each performed the duty assigned to them.

Received applications for new Lodges at Center burg, Knox County; and Lower Salem, Washington County; and Rowland, Morgan County; but refused to grant either for reason that it was feared neither would prove self sustaining, and papers are referred to the Grand Lodge.

On October 5, formed the Grand Lodge at Genoa, Ottawa County, and dedicated the new Hall of Genoa Lodge, No.433.

Convened the Grand Lodge at Elyria in November, 1879, and with the aid of Brothers A. H. New-comb, Heman Ely and a large concourse of Brethren laid the corner stone of the beautiful courthouse of Lorain County.

On July 28, 1880, convened the Grand Lodge at Toledo, and in the presence of over four hundred Masons, and many thousands of their friends, placed the foundation stone of Masonic Temple now being erected in that city.

November 20, 1879, received application from Evansport Lodge, Evansport, Defiance County, for permission to remove the Lodge to Stryker, Williams County, four or five miles, and a protest from the Lodge at West Unity, Williams County, claiming it would impair its usefulness, and the same are referred to the Grand Lodge for action.

Calls attention to a circular from Racine Lodge, No.461, asking aid, and recommends the Grand Lodge prohibit its subordinates from asking aid until permission has been given them by the Grand Lodge.

Brown Lodge, No.235, at Minerva, surrendered its charter and personal effects, and its real estate is encumbered to its full value.

Calls attention to Section XXI of the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge, and recommends their amendment.

Announces the deaths of Bro. Wm. R. Hawes, Chairman of the Committee on Grievances at the last session; of Bro. John M. Barrere, Past Junior Grand Warden, 1839-41; and Bro. Peter Thatcher.

Reports sixty-three decisions and his correspondence with Ohio Lodge, at Bladensburg, in regard to a member expressing views on the Bible.

The Deputy Grand Master reports the dedication to Masonic purposes the beautiful suite of rooms prepared by the Brethren of Dayton at very great expense of time and money.

The rules and procedure for the consolidation of Lodges as presented by the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence at the last session (pages 54 to 56), and laid over to this session were taken up and adopted; and are added to the rules of the Grand Lodge. They cover a page, and are too lengthy for insertion here.

The report of the Grand Treasurer was submitted, referred to the Committee on Accounts, and found correct; shows a balance in his hands of $2,225.31.

Also a statement of the account of former Grand Treasurer F. J. Phillips. Amount of balance due October 22, 1879, $3,127.22; dividends since paid the Grand Secretary, $525.76; October 20, 1880, balance due Grand Lodge, $2,601.46.

Brother G. T. Hovey, Worshipful Master of American Union Lodge, No. 1, Marietta, presented a photograph of David Putnam, who was elected Grand Secretary at Chillicothe, January 7, A. D. 1808, at the first election of Officers by this Grand Lodge, with the following communication or sketch:

"Brother David Putnam, first Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge of Ohio. Was born at Pomfret, Conn, February 24, 1769, removed to Marietta, Ohio, in 1798; died March 31, 1856, aged 87 years. Was a member of American Union Lodge as early as June 6,1798; elected Secretary of No.1, in 1800, served four years; elected Junior Deacon, 1804; elected Junior Warden, 1805; elected Treasurer, 1809, re-elected, 1811. Was appointed with Rufus Putnam November 2, 1807, a committee to draft instructions to the delegates elected by the L