Let us devoutly give thanks to Him who doeth all things well, for the manifold blessings and comforts heretofore vouchsafed us, and humbly implore His aid and guidance in the discharge of the duties imposed upon us at this Assembly. Since last we met Companion LOUIS C. COON, P.. G.. Sentinel of this Grand Council, has answered the alarm of the Supreme Grand Master. The Angel of Death summoned him from labor to refreshment on the third day of June, 1878. Companion Coon was too well known to need any eulogium from me, and while we mourn his loss, and miss his smiling countenance, and memory brings back his ever courteous and obliging disposition, let us also remember his zeal and energy in the discharge of every duty entrusted to him-they are worthy of imitation-and while casting a sympathetic tear over his memory, may we be awakened to a full sense of our duties here below, so that when we shall be summoned from this terrestrial temple we may be found worthy of that temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. I recommend that this Grand Council take suitable action to perpetuate his memory. During the past year I have not been called upon to decide any questions affecting the interests of Cryptic Masonry in this jurisdiction; my official acts have been simply of a routine nature. Friendship and brotherly love pervade our institution, and it is with much pleasure that I report an increase in numbers since curl st Assembly, yet I am unable to say that there exists as much energy and zeal as I would like to see. Some of our Councils have existed only in name, while others, with an energy worthy of true Masons, have zealously labored for the completion of the S.. V.., and the result speaks volumes to those who have been inert and listless. I would be doing injustice to my feelings, and be unjust to those who have borne the heat and burden of the day, did I fail to report that by far the largest portion of this increase in our numbers has arisen from the true Masonic zeal displayed by Concordia Council, No. 1, and I sincerely hope that it may be the means of infusing new life and vigor into such of our Councils as have not fully discharged their duty to the craft. The future of Cryptic Masonry in this as well as in other jurisdictions, depends entirely upon the devotion of our T.. I... M.'s and subordinate officers to the beautiful lessons taught in the Crypt. It needs only a determination on their part to faithfully perform their duties to create an interest among the Companions, and place the institution upon a sure and firm foundation. I do not have the slightest fear as to its ultimate success and future stability, and that ere long our beautiful ritual, with its sublime and impressive lectures, as well as the historical importance of the degrees, will be fully appreciated, even by the chronic grumblers of the present day. Then, Companions, wait not for the morrow; look forward to no delusive hope of assistance or recognition from other sources; you need it not; you have a firm and sure foundation upon which to build. Success can only come from toil, and no incentive is necessary other than a conscientious examination of your true duty as Masons. In accordance with custom, and at the request of the several Grand Councils, I have commissioned the following Companions as representatives of this Grand Council in their respective jurisdictions: Ill. Companion EDWARD B. KNIGHT, near the G... C.. of Rhode Island. Reciprocating the appointments thus made, the following Companions have been appointed as representatives near this Grand Council: Ill. Companion CHARLES F. ACHEY, for Rhode Island and Louisiana. EDMUND J. OPPELT, for New Jersey. 66 FERDINAND J. S. GORGAS, for Connecticut. It is with great regret that I announce the removal from the city, to engage in business pursuits in another jurisdiction, of Ill. Comp. STEPHEN C. BUSH, G.. P.. C.. W.. He was ever prompt in the discharge of his duties, and I doubt not will prove a valuable acquisition to the craft in his new home. Our best wishes go with him. Companion BUSH was the Representative of the Grand Council of Minnesota, near this Grand Council. I have advised them of his removal, and recommended the appointment of Ill. Companion GEORGE W. SHEIVE to the position thus made vacant. By a resolution adopted at our Annual Assembly, in 1876, the G. C. were appointed a Committee of Foreign Correspondence. The following proceedings have been received by the Grand Recorder: I regret exceedingly to be placed in the position of an apologist for any neglect of duty, and to the Companions of this jurisdiction I do not feel that any justification is needed, satisfied that my record in that respect will bear a careful scrutiny, but to such of our sister jurisdictions whose proceedings are herewith noted, I must ask absolution for the absence of any report upon correspondence, and to assure them truthfully that it arises only from the fact of my daily pursuits occupying my entire time and attention. In order to obviate this in the future, I recommend the rescinding of the resolution of 1876, so that a committee may be selected that will have the time to spare to render justice to this important branch of the work. And now, Companions, I surrender to you the emblem of my authority. My official year is nearly at an end; it has swiftly glided by, and has brought with it but few cares of office, but it has left upon my mind an ineffaceable record of your many kind acts, your gentle forbearance, and of your earnest and cordial support in all my undertakings. EDWIN L. PARKER, JR., M. I.. G.. Master. On motion of Companion ACHEY, the address of the M.. Ill.. G.. Master was referred to the following committee: Companions T. J. SHRYOCK, H. C. LARRABEE, CHAS. F. RIEHL. The Finance Committee made the following report, which was, on motion, accepted and adopted: BALTIMORE, November 13, 1878. To the M. Ill. Grand Council of R. and S.. Masters of Maryland : The Finance Committee beg leave to report that they have examined the accounts of the Recorder and Treasurer, and find them correct, and submit the following statement: 1977, Nov. 14, Medairy & Bowers, for certificates.. L. C. Coon, for services.... 46 1878, Feb'y 2, Baltimore Printing Company. Balance in hands of Grand Treasurer.. $ 7 53 67 75 $75 28 .$10 00 43 36 $31 92 GEO. L. McCAHAN, CHAS. F. ACHEY, On motion, bills for banquet, amounting to $16.00, and for advertising, $3.30, were ordered to be paid. Companion JAMES W. BOWERS, T.. Ill.. Master of Adoniram Council, surrendered the charter of said Council. * * * The following Companions presented their credentials as Grand Representatives: Companion GEO. L. McCAHAN presented the following, which was, on motion, adopted: Resolved, That the sum of fifteen dollars be appropriated to indemnify Companion F. J. S. GORGAS, Grand Treasurer, for credit given Jerusalem Council in error. The committee on the address of the M.. Ill.. Grand Master made the following report, which was, on motion, accepted and adopted: To the M. lll.. Grand Council of R.. and S.. Masters of Maryland: The committee on the address of the M.. Ill.. G.. Master beg leave to report that they would recommend that a page be set apart in the Journal to the memory of Companion Louis C. COON, P.. G.. Sentinel, and the recommendation of the M.. Ill.. Grand Master be adopted. Respectfully submitted, THOS. J. SHRYOCK, On motion of Companion GEO. W. SHEIVE, all the dues of Jeru-salem Council, No. 2, and Salem Council, No. 6, were remitted. On motion of Companion F. J. S. GORGAS, it was ordered that the sum of $25.00 be paid to the Grand Recorder for services to date, and to Companion NICHOLSON $2.00 for services as Grand Sentinel. The Grand Council proceeded to elect its officers for the ensuing year, as follows: Companion CHARLES F. ACHEY was elected M... Ill.·. G.`. Mas-ter, but declined for want of time to give the position proper attention; when Companion F. J. S. GORGAS was elected M.. Ill.. G. Master. All the Grand Officers were then installed in due form. The Grand Master made the following appointments: |