Druid Council, No. 5, having failed to hold an election of officers at the time specified in the by-laws, I granted a dispensation permitting them to hold a special Assembly for this purpose. The Grand Recorder, Ill.. Companion WM. A. WENTZ, having resigned on account of a change of residence to another jurisdiction, on the 14th of March, 1879, I appointed Ill.. Companion GEO. L. McCAHAN, Grand Recorder, ad interim, who has faithfully performed the duties connected with the office. The loss of such an efficient officer and member of this Grand Council as Ill.. Companion WENTZ, is to be regretted, and we cordially recommend him to our Companions in Illinois as a faithful and devoted Cryptic Mason. In view of the fact that the proceedings of the last Annual Assembly of this Grand Body were not published, and as the necessity for such action is apparent, on account of the crisis through which Cryptic Masonry is now passing, I earnestly recommend the printing, in one volume, of the proceedings of this Grand Council for 1878 and 1879. Ill.. Companions, in surrendering the honorable office to which your partiality elevated me, permit me to thank you for the uniform courtesy and kindness which I have received at your hands, and to request for my successor that zeal and devotion for the interests of Cryptic Masonry which alone can beautify and strengthen the structure of our cherished Rite. F. J. S. GORGAS, On motion of Companion SHRYOCK, the address was referred to the following committee: Companions THOS. J. SHRYOCK, C. C. ISAACS and WM. F. COCHRAN. The Grand Recorder and Grand Treasurer presented their books and accounts, which were referred to the Committee on Finance. WILLIAM A. WENTZ, Grand Recorder, In acc't with the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Maryland. Nov. 13, To Dues from Concordia Council, No. 1.... $51 50 5 50 7 25 $64 25 $64 25 Grand Recorder, ad interim. THOMAS J. SHRYOCK, Grand Treasurer, In Acc't with the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Maryland. Nov. 13, To Balance (received from former G.. Treasurer) "Cash received from Grand Recorder... CREDIT. Nov. 13, By A. S. Abell & Co.. $3 30 The Committee on Correspondence presented the following report, which was accepted: To the M:. Ill.. G.. Council of Royal and Select Masters of Maryland: Connecticut. Florida .1878 New Jersey... ..1879 New York.... .... North Carolina.. ..1879 ...1878 ...1879 Indiana ..1879, Ohio....... Louisiana, (Address M... Ill.. G.. Pennsylvania. .1878 and 1879 .....1879 ...1879 Several other known to be active have not been heard from. The "Mississippi movement," culminating so far in the surrendering of their individuality by seven Grand Councils, is the burden that has weighed upon the minds of the friends of Cryptic Masonry; but a feeling of relief is apparent resulting from the belief that the storm has spent itself and the worst is over. It is further believed that the deliberations of the Convention of Grand Councils at Detroit, in August, 1880, will result in great good to the Rite, and that the G.. G... Chapter, meeting at the same time and place, will not stultify itself. On this subject Companion Drummond of Maine, says: "It may now be safely assumed that the General Grand Chapter will not endorse the Mississippi Plan.' In the face of the protest of the Grand Councils of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Louisiana, Florida and others whose proceedings have not been received, the General Grand Chapter cannot give endorsement, assent or countenance to the conferring of the degrees in a clandestine manner. But especially it will never consent to adopt two systems, one for a part of the States and another for the other States; such a course would be suicide. The effect of the action of the Grand Council of Mississippi, and of those which have followed her example, is to introduce diverse systems of Cryptic Masonry, with the danger of two systems of Capitular Masonry. If die they must, they should have died decently, and not undertaken to force others to die in their company. The murder of one's self is bad enough, but when the murder of others is attempted at the same time it is infinitely worse. The Convention of the Representatives of Cryptic Masonry will meet at Detroit in 1880, at the time of the session of the General Grand Chapter, and we have no doubt that such measures will be taken as will place the Rite on a firmer foundation than ever before. The most annoying feature is, that these Grand Councils have succumbed just as the tide was turning: it had really reached its lowest ebb, and had begun to flow. It is sad to see a watchman desert his post: but it seems to add to the sadness to see him do so after watching so far through the night, that the coming light is already in the eastern sky.” Your committee regret that financial considerations prevent a general review of the proceedings with which they have been favored. To the "Correspondence fellows," however, they would say, that it is always a pleasure to receive their reports, and that their perusal has, and always will be a pleasure, and the same has done "a mighty deal of good," in keeping us in the knowledge that there are good and stalwart friends that we can lean against, and when the pean of victory arises, we shall shout as loud as any one. As to those Grand Councils who have returned to "the bosom," we think it is the better for them, and trust that snuggling awhile will restore in them sufficient vitality to again “go it alone." Fraternally submitted, GEORGE L. McCAHAN, The committee to whom was referred the address of the M.. Ill.. Grand Master presented the following report, which was accepted, and the resolutions adopted: BALTIMORE, November 12, 1879. To the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Maryland: The committee to whom was referred the address of the M.. Ill.'. G.. Master, beg leave to report that, considering the present anomalous condition of Cryptic Masonry in some of the jurisdictions of our country, it is encouraging, so far as our own is concerned, to observe the tone which animates the whole paper, and the same is cordially commended and endorsed by your committee. Your committee offer the following resolutions: THOMAS J. SHRYOCK, WILLIAM F. COCHRAN. Resolved, That the policy adopted by a number of our sister Grand Councils is pronounced suicidal, and that this Grand Council join with the faithful in proclaiming "No surrender." Resolved, That the proceedings of this Annual Assembly and those of 1878 be published. The Committee on Finance made the following report: BALTIMORE, November 12, 1879. To the M.. Ill.. Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Maryland: Fraternally submitted, GEORGE W. SHEIVE, The following, offered by Companion HENRY C. LARRABEE, were adopted: Resolved, That the sum of $25.00 be paid Companion GEORGE L. MCCAHAN for services as Grand Recorder. Resolved, That the sum of $2.00 be paid Companion CHARLES E. KEMP for services as Grand Sentinel. The Grand Council proceeded to the election of officers, with the following result: Companion WM. F. COCHRAN elected.....M.. Ill.. G.. Master. Companion E. L. PARKER, JR., P.-. M... Ill.'. G... Master, presented Companion WILLIAM F. COCHRAN, M.. Ill.. G.. Master elect, who was installed by the retiring M.. Ill.. G... Master, Companion FERDINAND J. S. GORGAS. The M.. Ill.. G.. Master made the following appointments: The following, offered by Companion GEORGE L. McCAHAN, was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the M.. Ill.. G. Master be appointed as the Representative of this Grand Council to a National Convention of Grand Councils at Detroit, in August, 1880. The minutes of these proceedings were read and approved. The Grand Council was closed in Ample form. GEORGE L. McCAHAN, Grand Recorder. The Grand Recorder acknowledges the following receipts at this Assembly: *Companion HENRY W. WORTHINGTON, G.`. P... C,'. of the Work elect not present, and died suddenly November 15th, 1879. |