TWELFTH DISTRICT.

MILFORD, November 9, 1874.

TO SERENO DWIGHT NICKERSON. ESQ., M. W. Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts:

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER, — As time flies, I am reminded that it becomes my duty to make my sixth report for the Twelfth Masonic District.

I have personally visited every Lodge in the District, and witnessed such work as Lodges had regularly before them, except in two instances, when permission was granted, at an official visitation, to raise a candidate a few days before the regular term had expired; and I find that the work of the District, as a whole, has not been suffered to lose its good reputation. From circumstances of which you are fully aware, a certain part of one of the degrees has somewhat troubled Lodges remote from opportunities of instruction; but the zealous endeavor which I have noticed on the part of officers, will, by the means afforded at the next exemplification, make this as it should be.

The degrees have been conferred in four more instances than in the previous year, although eight less initiations appear in the report; so that the amount of actual work is fully up to that of last year. The statistical table will give all details.

I desire to thank the Secretaries of the several Lodges for having their Returns ready at the time of my visitations.

The blanks forwarded by the Grand Secretary to Lodges, for the purpose of obtaining information to complete the Masonic Register, Secretaries are at work upon, and will forward them as soon as they obtain what information is possible.

At part of my visitations I have been favored with a full suite of Past Masters, some of them belonging to the Lodge visited, and others to neighboring Lodges; these, and the Brethren who have severally accompanied me as Marshal, I shall ever hold in grateful remembrance.

How kindly I have been received by the Brethren, none but those who know can tell.

In conclusion, I can safely say, that the interests of the Institution are well cared for by the Brethren in the Twelfth District, and several fine Masonic apartments testify to the zeal and liberality of such as therein have made an attractive Masonic retreat; and if the principles

taught in our Order are heartily received and exemplified in our transactions in life, no town or community will feel but to rejoice that a Masonic Altar is erected in its midst.

Respectfully submitted,

GEORGE E. STACY,

D. D. G. Master Twelfth Masonic District.

THIRTEENTH DISTRICT.

NORWOOD, December 7, 1874.

TO SERENO DWIGHT NICKERSON, ESQ., M. W. Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts:

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER, -I have the honor to submit my first official report as District Deputy Grand Master of the Thirteenth Masonic District.

I have officially visited each Lodge in this District during the past year, and I am happy to report that they are in a very satisfactory and healthy condition.

I have witnessed an exemplification of the work of some one of the three degrees in every Lodge in the District, which, with few exceptions, was rendered correctly and in a very impressive manner; showing great interest and a strong desire of perfecting themselves in Grand Lodge work as exemplified by the Grand Lecturers.

I have noticed a disposition in a few Lodges where the work was not quite up to the desired standard, to complain of the constant changing of the work. To these I have recommended the services of a Grand Lecturer; which recommendation, I have no doubt, if adopted, will enable them to rank higher another year, and perhaps convince them that they, too, have slightly departed from the ritual handed down to them by their predecessors.

The Records of the Lodges I found in good condition. The Secretaries, with few exceptions, have adopted the custom of recording the names of all the members and visitors present at each Communication. The By-Laws of every Lodge in the District, with one exception, have been approved by the Grand Lodge, My criticisms and sugges

tions have been kindly and gratefully received by the Brethren throughout the District.

As your representative, I have been received on every occasion with official respect and Brotherly kindness.

The result of my intercourse with the Brethren the past year more than compensates for the time and anxiety appertaining to the official duties of my office.

On every occasion, the Returns were ready and the dues to the Grand Lodge promptly paid.

I have, during the past year, installed the officers of St. Alban's and Orient Lodges, and performed the ceremony of formally healing a Brother, as instructed and authorized by you-a report of which you have already received.

I have visited, by special invitation, Norfolk Lodge, under Dispensation, at Needham. I found the Brethren in a prosperous condition, doing very good work, and conducting everything according to the ancient usages and customs of the Fraternity. The Lodge is well officered, and bids fair to rank high in the future.

The following table contains the number of members and visitors present at my official visits, and the average attendance of members during the past year : —

I feel under great obligations to the Brethren who have accompanied me as members of my suite, and also to the Brethren throughout the District, for the interest manifested by them in the work of the degrees, and for the friendly and brotherly manner in which they have received and entertained me and my suite. Hoping that this, my first official

report, may be acceptable to you, allow me to return to you, for this honorable position and the confidence which you have reposed in me, my sincere thanks.

I am, fraternally and respectfully yours,

GEORGE L. RHOADS,

D. D. G. Master Thirteenth Masonic District.

FOURTEENTH DISTRICT.

NEW BEDFORD, October 15, 1874.

TO SERENO DWIGHT NICKERSON, ESQ., M. W. Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts:

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER,-The lapse of time, and with it the close of another year, betokens the duty and pleasure of communicating to you my official labors as your representative in the Fourteenth Masonic District.

I have been especially favored with the privilege of visiting personally every Lodge in the District during the year, and upon each occasion due respect has been extended to me and every facility given me in pursuance of my official duties.

I have exercised great care and devoted much attention to a careful examination of the Records, realizing the great importance attached thereto; and although the labors and responsibilities of the Secretaries have materially increased, from personal observation I am enabled to say, with much commendation, that they have faithfully performed their duties, and I would congratulate the several Lodges upon having secured the services of Brethren so eminently qualified for the position.

Upon my visitation to Union Lodge, Nantucket, I was informed by the Worshipful Master that the Lodge had in its possession the entire record, from the date of its Charter, May 27th, 1771, to the present time, in triplicate; and by my request the Secretary has affixed to the Returns of the Lodge a complete list of the names of the Brethren who have served as Worshipful Masters, and the dates of their term of service, during its entire existence, a period of more than a century. This pre

caution against a destruction of the record I deemed so highly important, that, while making subsequent visitations, I suggested this example of prudence, presented by the oldest Lodge in the District, and trust that the same will be unanimously adopted.

The work as rendered by the Lodges, has, I am pleased to say, reached a much higher standard for correctness and impressiveness than in former years, and a lively interest prevails among the Brethren with reference to the same. In the instances where there has been but a small amount of work before the Lodge, I find by the record that frequent exemplifications and strenuous efforts are made to acquire a satisfactory degree of proficiency, and which have been commendably exhibited in the work as shown in my presence. All corrections to which I have called attention have been kindly received, and all seem desirous of observing a strict adherence to the ritual as sanctioned by the Grand Lodge.

I have had application for, and granted, eight Dispensations, to confer degrees within the prescribed time upon Brethren who had regularly received the first degree; but, owing to their limited tarry at home, and their absence extending through a series of years, I deemed it strictly within the spirit of the Grand Constitutions to grant them.

The Charters I found in a state of good preservation, carefully encased and duly cared for by the Worshipful Masters, to whose immediate charge they are intrusted.

The By-Laws of the Lodges having been so recently before the Grand Lodge for approval, I refrain from special reference to the same at this time.

The Returns have all been duly received, and, together with the amount of dues in full, delivered to the Grand Treasurer. Much care and application have been bestowed upon them by the Masters and Secretaries, in order that they might be full and complete; and I would hereby acknowledge my appreciation of their special service.

And now, Most Worshipful, Brother, as our present official relations are about to close, I desire to offer you my sincere thanks for the honor conferred and confidence reposed in me; and if my labors have merited your approval, together with the pleasure of the Brethren, my aim has been accomplished.

I would also acknowledge at this time my indebtedness to those Brethren who have so kindly accompanied me upon my annual visitations, and materially aided me in the discharge of my duty.

To the officers and members of the Lodges in the District, I extend my gratitude, in appreciation of their fraternal greetings and kindly attentions so generously extended.