to the establishment of a General Grand Lodge, or the holding of a National Convention. There was a peculiar affection felt in Pennsylvania for Washington; and, while he was living, the Grand Lodge, on public occasions, was several times honored with his presence, and it is now in possession of one of his few Masonic letters, also one of his aprons, which was presented to the Grand Lodge by his legatees. In 1873, $1000 was appropriated towards the erection of a monument over his remains at Mount Vernon. In 1852 a block of marble was presented for the Washington Monument, at Washington City. With Washington, united in the affections of the Craft, was Lafayette. On his visit to the United States, in 1824, his journey through the States was one continual series of Masonic receptions. In Philadelphia he was made a member of the Grand Lodge, and he was royally banqueted. Loyalty to one's country should ever go with Masonry, and in 1812-1814 the Grand Lodge tendered its services to the Committee of Defence of the city, in the war with England at that time. Upon a call of the committee, 510 members of the Grand and subordinate lodges reported for duty. Again, in 1862-1863, the Freemason's Soldiers' Relief Association was recognized and approved by the Grand Lodge; and, during the unhappy Civil War, the hospitals in Philadelphia were the scene of many evidences of a brother's affection for a brother. At the beginning of the present century the Grand Lodge received presents of, purchased chances themselves, and raised money in lotteries. It was then the custom of the day. In 1815 the Grand Officers were appointed a committee to open a Sunday-school in the Masonic hall, for the teaching of the Holy Scriptures to adults. This was the first adult Sunday-school established in the city.

June 24, 1834, was celebrated, with becoming ceremonies, "the Centennial anniversary of the establishment of the first lodge in Pennsylvania, of which lodge Brother Benjamin Franklin was the first Master." This could not be a celebration of any "establishment" by Price, as it antedates any claims that Massachusetts may have since made. The Grand Lodge was evidently mistaken as to the time of this celebration; for on June 24, 1734, Franklin was elected Grand Master, and in November, 1734, he wrote a letter to Price, asking for a copy of his deputation, and the enlargement of his powers, and for a recognition of the privileges they were then enjoying. Again, the celebration was right in the midst of the Anti-Masonic excitement, and the brethren no doubt desired some excuse to show the antiquity and universality of Freemasonry in Philadelphia. There was no place where the vindictiveness of politicians was exerted to a greater extent than in Pennsylvania. The Grand Master and other officers were dragged from their homes, even from their beds, and hurried before the Inquisitorial Commission of the legislature at Harrisburg; but as each one was brought to the bar of the legislature to take the oath, each one REFUSED TO BE SWORN. From 1828 to 1836 the storm raged with bitterness, but it finally died out, leaving Masonry purged of its

weak members, but more strongly established than ever.

in 1804, most truly

The Grand Lodge,

"Declared its settled conviction that charters of incorporation engrafted on Masonic establishments are by far the most serious and alarming innovations that have ever threatened their secrecy, harmony, good order, and perpetuity."

Prior to 1816 the lodges held semi-annual elections for officers, and always when opened in the First degree. After that time the elections were ordered to be held annually, and on December 4, 1843, it was ordered that all business of the lodge, and the opening and closing, must be in the Master's degree. The "ancient" system of working authorized brethren who were duly qualified, and in possession of the higher degrees, to open and confer them under the "Blue" lodge warrant. Under such authority, Lodges Nos. 3, 21, 43, 52, and others, worked the Royal Arch degree. In November, 1795, the first Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the United States was opened in the city of Philadelphia. The Grand Chapter worked in harmony with Grand Lodge until 1824, when it became independent, and then incorporated the Mark and Most Excellent Master degrees into the Capitular system. The Past Master is only conferred by Grand Lodge authority. In 1849 the Grand Lodge authorized Franklin Lodge, No. 134, to loan its warrant for the conferring of the Order of the Temple in Encampment No. 2, of Philadelphia. Afterward Union Lodge, No. 121, loaned its warrant to form Union Encampment, No. 6. February 15, 1857, the Grand Lodge rescinded the resolution, granting this authority, to take effect after May 1, 1857.

In 1799 the Grand Lodge set aside one-third of its receipts for the purposes of charity. This fund slowly accumulated until, in 1826, it amounted to $1428.10, in 1843, $3842, at which time, forty-four years after its beginning, the interest was directed to be distributed to either sex. The fund was increased by donations from lodges, chapters, etc., and in 1850 from the receipts of a Masonic ball. In 1847 the fund amounted to $4498.55, when it was set apart for the sole use of the widows and children of deceased brethren. This fund, known as the GRAND LODGE CHARITY FUND, is dispensed by Almoners, and now amounts to about $73,000.

Stephen Girard, who was initiated in Lodge No. 2, in 1798, died on December 21, 1831, and bequeathed the sum of $20,000, to be invested and reinvested until it reached the sum of $30,000, when the interest therefrom was to be used for the assistance of poor and respectable brethren. The sum reached, in 1844, $31,000, and the distribution was begun thirteen years after its bequest. This fund is distributed by the Stewards of the STEPHEN GIRARD BEQUEST, and it now amounts to about $62,200. On December 27, 1889, Right Worshipful Brother Thomas R. Patton, Grand Treasurer of Grand Lodge, who had been for seventeen years the treasurer of the GRAND LODGE CHARITY FUND and the STEPHEN GIRARD BEQUEST, desiring to leave a memorial of sacred affection to the memory of his lamented wife, Ellen H. Graham