but the impress of the assembly is felt by the Rite throughout the country, and cannot but be of great and lasting benefit.

The formation of the General Grand Council has settled the controversy as to the proper body to exercise control of the degrees, though the refusal of the General Grand Chapter to receive them, had long since demonstrated to most of us that there was no home for them but in regular Councils. This, like all decisive actions, will have a good effect. It will silence the grumblers whose stock in trade has been the claim that the degrees belong to the Chapter; it will inspire with confidence the zealous and faithful that they are not wasting their time in vain efforts, but are building on secure foundations for the future. These results seem to have been reached in the various Grand Councils, the reports of whose proceedings have reached me. All express renewed hope for the future and confidence in a revival of the work that will satisfy the most zealous. As for ourselves, Companions, we have as good reason as any, and better than most, to hope for increased prosperity. I would conjure you therefore to renewed effort, prompt attendance on the assemblies of your Councils, strict attention to the work and the securing of uniformity, all of which will result in upholding and strengthening this Grand Body, which more than ever is invested with the responsibility of preserving those beautiful and interesting degrees as to the value of which--amid all the long controversy as to their proper custody-no voice was ever raised in question.

From Report of Grand Treasurer. "Balance, $18.74."

From Report of Committee on Correspondence:

"Your Committee in presenting the foregoing list of proceedings received, account for as large a number of them as the usual average, a number of Grand Councils not publishing them oftener than once in two years, and a few at even greater intervals. There are however, quite a number, that your Committee look upon as regulars, not only in publishing and forwarding same, but also in the way they do things generally. This makes us somewhat envious, because we are not as great as they are, and present consolation is derived from our endeavors to be as good. No matters of an unpleasant nature have arisen during the year that your Committee are made aware of. The Cryptic family seems to be enjoying a season of peace with those without and contentment with those within, which, after the years of argument and controversy, is an agreeable change. To add to the satisfaction growing out of this state of things, your Committee formally report that Arkansas, on November 25, 1882, held their first assembly since 1878, and re-organized, independent of her late connection with the Grand Chapter. Illinois has practically perfected arrange

ments to the same end, and Kentucky, at a called assembly, November 21, 1882, formally received from the Grand Chapter the custody of the Rite, and re-organized by election of officers, &c.

The action of these bodies strengthens the Rite in a manner long wished for and in bidding them thrice welcome, the hope is entertained that the remaining few, still outside, may soon return.

The General Grand Council met in "Triennial" assembly at Denver, Colorado, August 14th, 1883. The writer enjoyed the honor of being present as the proxy of the Most Illustrious Grand Master. The proceedings were routine in their character, excepting, perhaps, the address of Grand Master DRUMMOND, which was historical in its character, and a valuable addition to Cryptic literature. As yet no printed proceedings have been received from which to formulate a report."

1884.

ELEVENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY held at Masonic Temple, Baltimore, Wednesday, November 12th, A.. Dep.'. 2884.

Councils represented: Concordia, No. 1, Jerusalem, No. 2, Hiram, No. 5.

From Report of Grand Treasurer. "Balance $27.16."

1885.

TWELFTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY held at Masonic Temple, Baltimore, November 11th, A.'. Dep.'. 2885.

Councils represented: Concordia, No. 1, Jerusalem, No. 2, Tadmor, No. 4, Hiram, No. 5.

From Grand Treasurer's Report. "Balance $22.11."

From Report of Committee on Correspondence:

"Your Committee are also, (in addition to printed proceedings acknowledged,) in receipt of official circular from the General Grand Master announcing the formation of a Grand Council for the State of Oregon; also the proceedings of the convention called to form said Grand Council. Your Committee hailing with pleasure this new Grand Council beg leave to offer the following:

Resolved, That cordial greeting is tendered and fraternal recognition hereby accorded the Grand Council of Oregon."

Adopted.

1886.

THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY held at Masonic Temple, Baltimore, Wednesday, November 10th, A.. D.. 2886. Councils represented: Concordia, No. 1, Jerusalem, No. 2, Tadmor, No. 4, Hiram, No. 5.

From Grand Treasurer's report. "Balance $20.16."

From Report of Committee on Correspondence.

"Your Committee for obvious reasons present no review of the proceedings received. In the matter of Nebraska however, they direct attention to the fact that the control of the Cryptic Degrees has been resumed by the Grand Council, the Grand Chapter having exercised authority over them by the action of the Grand Council since 1878. A resolution was adopted, making the Grand Council a constituent of the G.'. G.'. Council as soon as the consent of all the Subordinate Councils is given.

Your Committee further make mention that the Second Triennial of the General Grand Council, was held at Washington, D. C., on September 26th, 1886. As yet no report of its transactions has been received, except the list of officers."

The Grand Master reported having appointed Companions DANIEL P. BYSTLE and WILLIAM DOWNES, as Representatives. respectively near the Grand Councils of California and New York.

1887.

FOURTEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY held at Masonic Temple, Baltimore, Wednesday, November 9th, A.. Dep.. 2887. Councils represented: Concordia, No. 1, Jerusalem, No. 2, Hiram, No. 5.

From Grand Treasurer's report. "Balance $8.58."

From Report of Committee on Correspondence.

"Under date of January 6, 1887, the G.`. G.'. Recorder advises this Grand Council, that the Grand Council of Arkansas, has become a constituent of the G.. G.. Council, also under date of February 10, 1887, that the Grand Council of Alabama, a constituent of the G.'. G.. Council, has ceased to exist.'

Your Committee transfer to this report from the G.`. G.'. Council proceedings the status of the several Grand Councils :

Constituents of the General Grand Council: Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont.

Independent Grand Councils: Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin."

Foreign Grand Councils; Canada, England.

A Circular Communication from the Grand Council of Illinois, in which it is proposed to form an Association of Grand Councils, not constituents of the G.. G.. Council, to induce the G.. G.. Council to recede from its declaration, that Royal and Select Masters made under other authority than regular Grand Councils, are clandestine and can affiliate only by being healed, was read for information.

The Grand Master reported having appointed on September 20, 1887, the following named Grand Representatives: Companion WILLIAM RYAN, near the Grand Council of Kentucky; Companion WILLIAM L. ORR, near the Grand Council of Illinois.

Also of having nominated as Representatives near Maryland, Companion WILLIAM A. WENTZ, for the Grand Council of Kentucky, and Companion GRAHAM DUKEHAKT, for the Grand Council of Illinois.

The Grand Master announced the death on December 27th, 1886, of Companion GEORGE W. SHEIVE, Past Grand Master, accompanying the announcement with a warm tribute to the worth and usefulness of our deceased Companion. It was ordered that a page of the record be suitably inscribed to his memory.

1888.

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY held at Masonic Temple, Baltimore, Wednesday, November 14th, A.. Dep.. 2888. Councils represented; Concordia, No. 1, Jerusalem, No. 2, Hiram, No. 5.

From Grand Treasurer's report: "Balance $199.68."

From Report of Committee on Correspondence:

"An examination of the proceedings of the several Grand Councils shows the condition of the Rite to be favorable, although it is apparent that especial effort is required in some of the smaller jurisdictions to maintain the interest desired by those who are enthusiastic as to its welfare.

The circular from Illinois is in the form of a protest adopted by the Grand Council at its Annual Assembly November 5, 1887, against the

laws and regulations of the G.'. G.'. Council, which require all Cryptic Masons made under Chapter authority to be healed before they can be recognized as regular, and presents the claim that the re-organization of the G.. Council of Illinois, is a practical healing of all its affiliates so made; it also embodies a proposal to form an Association to induce the G.. G.. Council to recede from its position. The proposal as to an association, does not meet with favor, but opinions as to the other questions named are divided. The legislation of several of the Grand Councils is in strict accord with the position of the G.'. G.'. Council, whilst, on the other hand, strong expressions are made by eminent Cryptic jurists and Correspondents, that each State Grand Council should be the judge of the qualifications of its own members.

Your Committee consider this whole matter of the gravest importance, and as it will doubtless be presented to the G.`. G.'. Council at the Triennial of 1889, they do not advise any action by this Grand Council."

The M.. I.. Grand Master reported having appointed Companion W. B. WINSLOW, as Representative of this Grand Council, near the Grand Council of Kentucky, and Companion FAY HEMPSTEAD, near that of Arkansas.

1889.

SIXTEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY held at Masonic Temple, Baltimore, Wednesday, November 13th, A.'. Dep.'. 2889. Councils represented: Concordia, No. 1, Jerusalem, No. 2, Hiram, No. 5.

From Grand Treasurer's report: "Balance $158.38."

The M.. I.. Grand Master reported that he had appointed Companions FRED KING and JOHN WHITEAKER as Representatives, respectively, of this Grand Council near the Grand Councils of Wisconsin and Oregon, and that the following named Companions had been appointed as Representatives, near Maryland by the several Grand Councils named: