should be had by the committee, the said witnesses having first taken an oath before some legally authorized person, to make true answers to such questions as may be propounded to them touching the matter in dispute. To the second question, we answer, No. To the third question, we answer, that the practice of suspending a brother for a definite period should be discouraged, but where such suspensions have been made, the Lodge has the right, by subsequent action, to remit a portion of the penalty and reinstate before the expiration of the full term; such right should, however, be cautiously exercised, and only with consent of the brethren who were present when the original suspension was ordered.

In the matter of the action of the Grand Orient of France in recognizing a spurious body, known as the Supreme Council of Louisiana, now invading the jurisdiction of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Louisiana, we recommend the adoption of the following resolution:

Resolved, That in common with our sister Grand Lodges in the United States, all Masonic correspondence and fraternal relations between the Grand Lodge of West Virginia and the Grand Orient of France cease and be discontinued, until the said Grand Orient of France shall withdraw its recognition of the body styling itself "The Supreme Council for the Sovereign and Independent State of Louisiana."

Respectfully submitted,

W. H. FREEMAN,

O. S. LONG,

J. V. BELL,

ROBERT WHITE,
Committee.

REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS SENT TO GRAND LODGE OF VIRGINIA.

To the M. W. Grand Lodge of West Virginia :

Your committee to whom was referred the report of the commissioners appointed at your last Annual Grand Communication to adjust the matters at issue between this Grand Lodge and the M. W. Grand Lodge of Virginia, beg leave to report that:

It is with feelings of profound satisfaction we have heard of the final settlement of those questions that marred our Masonic peace; and it is with peculiar pleasure we hail the complete es tablishment of fraternal relations between this Grand Lodge and the M. W. Grand Lodge of Virginia, to whom we are bound by so many ties of historical association and tender regard. We therefore propose for your adoption the following resolu. tions:

Resolved, That this Grand Lodge hereby solemnly ratifies and concurs in the action of its special commissioners, as set forth in their report and accompanying documents.

Resolved, That M. W. William J. Bates, Grand Master, (or in

the event of his inability to serve, some brother whom he may designate), is hereby appointed to be the bearer of fraternal messages from this Grand Lodge to the M. W. Grand Lodge of Virginia, at its next Annual Grand Communication.

Resolved, That this Grand Lodge will hold in grateful remembrance the services of its special commissioners, R. W. B. F. Martin and R. W. Robert White, in securing the honorable and satisfactory adjustment of the questions at issue between this Grand Lodge and the M. W. Grand Lodge of Virginia, and that our hearty thanks are hereby tendered to these brethren for the skillful manner in which they have discharged the delicate duties of their appointment.

Respectfully submitted,

O. S. LONG,
A. WORKMAN,
MORRIS K. KING,

Committee.

The following resolution was offered and on motion, adopted: Resolved, That we earnestly advise the W. Masters of Lodges working under dispensation and applying for charters, to attend the Grand Lodge in person, for the purpose of affording necessary information to the committee.

The following resolutions were offered and adopted:

Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be authorized to procure a suitable book-case for the use of the Grand Lodge.

Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be authorized to procure appropriate jewels for the use of the Grand Lecturer and the Grand Pursuivant.

Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be authorized to send five copies of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge to each Lodge having more than twenty-five members, and three copies to all others; and that the Master of each Lodge is hereby instructed to take such measures as will enable each member of his Lodge to read the proceedings of this Grand Lodge.

Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be authorized to publish not exceeding five hundred copies of the Proceedings of this Grand Annual Communication.

Resolved, That the Grand Treasurer be authorized to pay all accounts due, or that may become due during recess, for printing, postage, stationery and other expenses of the Grand Lodge.

The Grand Lecturer announced that after the Grand Lodge was closed he would, with the aid of the Working Committee, proceed to exemplify the work.

The Grand Lodge was then closed until the second Tuesday in November, A. L. 5870, or during the will and pleasure of the Most Worshipful Grand Master.

THOMAS H. LOGAN,

WILLIAM J. BATES,

Grand Master.

Grand Secretary.

The following list of appointments was made by the Grand Master:

George Baird, Grand Lecturer; O. S. Long, D. D. G. M., 1st District; J. H. Brownfield, 2d District; H. M. Gamble, 3d District; B. F. Leisenring, 4th District; Frank Rex, 5th District; W. H. Freeman, 6th District; Morris K. King, 7th District; Alderson Workman, 11th District.

The Grand Lecturer appointed deputies as follows:

J. V. L. Rodgers, J. L. Rinehart, Charles H. Collier, Morris K. King.

Full returns of membership in thirty-six Lodges are printed with the proceedings, and the summary shows 1,845 Master Masons; 317 initiated; 270 passed; 262 raised; 78 admitted; 84 Dimited; 114 rejected; 5 suspended for unmasonic conduct; 42 suspended for non-payment of dues; 13 reinstated, and 15 dead. The list of those "at rest" contains the following names: Charles V. McDonald, Marshall Union, No. 8, November 26, 1868; Frederick Walker, Salina, No. 27, December 11, 1868; John Mills, Eureka, No. 25, December 26, 1868; F. P. Pierpoint, P. G. J. W., Wheeling, No. 5, January 7, 1869; A. H. McNeil, Moorefield, No. 29, January 11, 1869; Wm. G. Battelle, P. M., Ohio, No. 1, March 2, 1869; E. H. Showalter, Fairmont, No. 9, March 31, 1869; John J. Johnson, Piedmont, No. 28, April 19, 1869; W. W. Gamble, Clifton, No. 23, April 26, 1869; John Goshorn, P. M., Wheeling, No. 5, June 13, 1869; S. Curtis, Liberty, No. 26, June, 1869; Joseph Burns, New Cumberland, No. 22, July 20, 1869; John Steele, Bates, No. 33, — 1869; David E. Foreman, Saint John's, No. 24, August 23, 1869; James S. Connell, No. 20, September 24, 1869; Richard C. Thompson, Salina, No. 27, September, 1869.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

M.W.GRAND LODGE

OF

ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS,

OF THE

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,

NOVEMBER, 1870.

IN GRAND LODGE.

The sixth Grand Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of West Virginia, was begun and held in the Masonic Temple in the city of Wheeling, on Tuesday, the 8th day of November, A. L. 5870, at 7 o'clock P. M.