3. It would be highly proper that you should notify the Grand Lodge of Virginia of your organization, furnishing it with the names of the Lodges by which you have been constituted, and ask for the customary recognition; and it would also be proper that the Lodges should notify the parent body of their action, and settle their accounts to the date of the new organization and transfer their allegiance. With best wishes for your prosperity, I am Fraternally Yours, CHAS. W. MOORE. I have already spoken of irregularities which have been introduced into many of the Lodges. I allude, especially, to a want of uniformity in the ritual of work; and from information which I have received I am convinced that the evil has become so great as to demand the adoption by you, at this time, of some means for its correction. The appointment of a Grand Lecturer will, of course, suggest itself to you as necessary for the accomplishment of this object, and I trust you will find it practicable to make that appointment at our present Communication. In case this officer be elected now, you should not neglect the adoption of a plan by which he shall receive a just compensation for his services. There are many other matters which should claim your attention, but these will doubtless suggest themselves to you, and I will not, therefore, longer occupy your time. It is now your duty to proceed with the good work which you have so harmoniously begun; and I beseech you to carry it forward with energy and perseverance, and in the true Masonic spirit of charity, forbearance and brotherly love. Keep ever in view the Ancient Landmarks, remembering that you are "never to suffer them to be infringed, or countenance a departure from the established usages and customs of the Fraternity." May your action as a Grand Lodge illustrate the Masonic virtues of Wisdom, Prudence and Justice, so that your labors may result in the advancement of our order in knowledge and virtue, and in the capacity to be useful to our fellow-men. The following resolutions were introduced and unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the thanks of the Grand Lodge are hereby cordially tendered to M. W. Bro. W. B. Thrall, P. G. M. of Ohio, for the able and impressive manner in which he has conducted the ceremony of Installation, and for the eloquent and appropriate address delivered upon the occasion. Resolved, That Bro. Thrall be requested to furnish the Grand Secretary with a copy of his address, and that the same be published in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge. The following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to consist of three to take into consideration and report upon the subject of charters for the Subordinate Lodges within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge. The Grand Master appointed as the committee, Bros. William P. Wilson, W. L. Hyland, T. H. Logan. The following resolution was introduced and adopted: Resolved, That the Most Worshipful, the Grand Master be requested to appoint a committee of three to prepare an address to the M. W. Grand Lodge of Virginia, advising them of the organization of this Grand Lodge, and inviting their fraternal recognition. Resolved, That the Grand Master be requested to attend in person, or by special representative the next Grand Communication of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. The Grand Master appointed as the committee under the first resolution, Bros. E. C. Bunker, W. L. Hyland, James S. Wheat. The following was adopted: Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to prepare business for the Grand Lodge. The Grand Master appointed as this committee, Bros. Hannibal Forbes, E. H. Showalter, C. F. Scott, J. W. Nye and F. A. Brentlinger. On motion, the address of the Grand Master was referred to the Committee on Business. The Grand Lodge was then closed until 10 o'clock A. M., May 11th. THOMAS H. LOGAN, WILLIAM J. BATES, Grand Master. Grand Secretary. IN GRAND LODGE. A Grand Communication of the M. W. Grand Lodge of West Virginia, was continued and held at the Masonic Temple in the city of Wheeling, on Thursday, the 11th day of May, A. L. 5865 A. D. 1865, at 10 o'clock A. M. And the representatives of the Subordinate Lodges and Past Masters as previously recorded. The Grand Lodge was opened in AMPLE FORM. The Committee on Charters presented the following report, which was adopted: REPORT. To the Grand Master, Grand Wardens and Brethren of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia: Your committee respectfully beg leave to report that after careful consideration of the subject referred to them, they recommend to the Grand Lodge for its adoption, the views expressed by Wor. Bro. Charles Moore of Massachusetts, in a communication addressed to our Grand Master; substantially as follows: "It does not appear necessary for the Subordinate Lodges now working within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, and under charters granted by the Grand Lodge of Virginia, to return the same to that body. In separating from that Grand Lodge they only conformed to the changed political condition of the State, and transferred their allegiance to a new Grand Lodge, which by virtue of the authority of their charter and of Masonic usage they had themselves created. Without their charters they cannot exist now; nor could they have formed the Grand Lodge without them. But these charters recognize the Grand Lodge of Virginia as the supreme authority in the State of West Virginia. To remove this difficulty and that the fact may be made to appear as it really exists, one of two courses becomes necessary; the Subordinate Lodges must either send up their charters to this Grand Lodge for endorsement, or they must surrender their charters to this Grand Lodge, and accept from it new ones instead. The former course will probably be preferred by the Lodges as it will secure to them their original date and rank." Your committee recommend the adoption of the following resolution: Resolved, That pending the preparation and issuing of new charters, the Subordinate Lodges within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, be directed to send their present charters to the Grand Secretary to be endorsed by the Grand Master, under the seal of this Grand Lodge. WILLIAM P. WILSON, Committee. The report of committee including resolution was adopted. The Grand Lodge was then called from labor to refreshment for thirty minutes, at the end of which time it resumed labor. Present, the same officers and members. The Committee on Business reported the following resolutions, which were adopted: Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Grand Master, whose duty it shall be to prepare a Constitution for the government of this Grand Lodge, and report at our next Annual Communication. Resolved, That in the meantime the Constitution and General Regulations of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, so far as applicable, be adopted in the government and administration of this Grand Lodge, subject to such modification as shall be made from time to time by order of the Grand Lodge. Resolved, That the M. W. Grand Master, the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary be appointed a committee to purchase a Seal, and also such Clothing, Jewels, &c., as may be required for the use of this Grand Lodge. Resolved, That the Grand Treasurer be authorized to pay such accounts as are now due, or may become due during recess for Printing, Stationery, Clothing, &c. Resolved, That in order to provide a Grand Lodge Fund, the Subordinate Lodges within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge be directed to pay to the Grand Treasurer, as Grand Lodge dues for the current year, an amount equal to fifty cents for each member. Resolved, That the next Communication of this Grand Lodge be held in the Masonic Temple in the city of Wheeling on the third Wednesday in January, A. L. 5866. The Grand Master announced as the Committee on Constitution-E. C. Bunker, W. L. Hyland, F. A. Brentlinger. Bro. C. F. Scott offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the thanks of the members of this Grand Lodge are hereby tendered to the brethren of the Wheeling Lodges for the use of their Masonic Temple, and for the courteous entertainment and refreshment so generously provided by them, The Grand Lodge was then closed until the third Wednesday in January, A. L. 5866, or during the will and pleasure of the Most Wor. Grand Master. THOMAS H. LOGAN, Grand Secretary. WILLIAM J. BATES, Grand Master. IN GRAND LODGE. A Special Communication of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia was held by order of the Most Worshipful, the Grand Master, at Wheeling, the fourth day of July, A. L. 5865, A. D. 1865, at 9 o'clock A. M. And a large number of brethren from the Subordinate Lodges in this and other Grand Jurisdictions. The Grand Lodge was opened in AMPLE FORM. The Most Worshipful, the Grand Master, informed the brethren that he had assembled them at the request of the Directors of the Soldiers' Aid Society of the city of Wheeling, for the purpose of laying the corner stone of a monument to be erected in the Soldiers' Burying Ground. A procession was then formed and was conducted by the |