celsior Lodge, which was omitted. We tried to find the other three, and they cannot be found. But we did find at last how Brother Drummond was misled. By a strange mistake, Mt. Olivet Lodge No. 175 is recorded both in the record of Lodges and in the alphabetical list, as resident in Frederick county, West Virginia, and under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, and there are three other Lodges in Frederick county, viz: Winchester Hiram Lodge No. 21, Dallas Lodge No. 132, and Old Dominion Lodge No. 231, which made report to us, two of which, No. 21 and No. 231, were represented at our Communication in 1870 by our excellent brother, Judge Richard Parker, Grand Senior Deacon. This is doubtless the source of Brother Drummond's mistake; but we must tell him that the good old county of Frederick, and its capital town of Winchester, is still in fact, as through the agony of recent trial it has manifested itself to be in feeling, part and parcel of Virginia.

But there are twelve Lodges working under charters from our Grand Lodge within the political boundaries of the State of West Virginia. They are limited to the counties of Rerkeley, Jefferson, Greenbrier, and Monroe, viz: in Berkeley county, two Lodges; in Jefferson county, five Lodges; in Monroe county, three Lodges; in Greenbrier county, two Lodges. The political status of Berkeley and Jefferson counties has only been determined since our last proceedings, by a decision of the Supreme Court of the United States. When we recognized the Grand Lodge of West Virginia it was undetermined, and these counties were recognized by both Grand Lodges as neutral territory. In the original programme for the division of the States, both of these counties, as well as Monroe and Greenbrier, were not contemplated as component parts of the new State. The sympathies, associations, connections and feelings of the controlling elements of population in all of these counties, was conceded to be adverse, intensely adverse, to separation from Virginia. In the adjustment of our difficulties with the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, the peculiar situation and feeling of the brethren in these counties constituted one of the main difficulties, and the difficulty was appreciated by the brethren of West Virginia scarcely less than by ourselves. But in spite of it, we did accomodate all differences. Our Grand Lodge could not and would not repudiate the West Virginia counties; but we recognized the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, with a recommendation to these brethren to surrender their charters to her. Peace reigned throughout or borders. The then unsettled question of political boundary has now been determined. Jefferson and Berkeley belong to West Virginia; the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad is bastening towards completion, when the brethren of Greenbrier and Monroe can have comfortable access to the centres, at which they can assemble conveniently with the brethren of the farther West and Northwest; political asperities are softening; the reminiscences of the war are becoming ob

literated; and in a short time we doubt not that all the brethren of these Lodges now reporting to us, will recognize the accomplished facts of history, and, surrendering their charters to us, accept new charters from West Virginia. Until, however, they do so voluntarily, they are brethren of our household, entitled to and assured over of receiving a greeting as brethren tried in a furnace of trial, and found always true and trusty, and our daughter Grand Lodge will be the last to ask us to violate our pledged faith to them. The brethren of those two Grand Lodges dwell side by side in harmony and peace. Among them no contention exists but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can best work and best agree; and he little appreciates the true principles of Masonry who would seek to sow in either happy household the seeds of discord and strife.*

The review of our proceedings for 1870, is marked by a very generous and fraternal spirit. Commenting upon Grand Master Bates' remarks concerning the settlement of our difficulties, Bro. Wellford very truthfully say:

"To no man more than Bro. Bates is this happy result due. The Providence of God imposed upon him a most delicate and responsible office, but he bore himself in such a manner as to command tho homage and affectionate regard of every Virginia Mason. We know Bro. Batos only from his Masonic record, but that certifies to us his claim to our confidence and grateful appreciation.

The closing admonitions of his address breathe the true Masonic spirit. While our brethren of West Virginia adhere to them, they cannot materially crr."

"NOTE.-Several of the Lodges in Berkeley and Jefferson counties heretofore reporting to Virginia, gave in their adherence to West Virginia at the communication in 1872, and since the close of the Grand Lodge, the remainder of these Lodges have also come in The only Lodges in West Virginia now under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Virginia are four, located in Greenbrier and Mourge counties.-GRAND SECRETARY.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

M. W. GRAND LODGE

OF

ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS,

OF THE

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,

NOVEMBER, 1873.

IN GRAND LODGE.

A Special Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of West Virginia was begun and held in the Masonic Hall, in Clifton, on the 24th day of June A. L. 5873, A. D. 1873, at 11 o'clock A. M., the purpose being the laying of the corner stone of a building for the public schools.

The members of Clifton Lodge No. 23 were present, together

with a large number of visiting brethren.

The Grand Lodge of West Virginia' was opened in AMPLE

FORM by the Grand Master. A procession was formed in the usual manner, and upon the street was joined by Lodges from Middleport, Pomeroy and Racine, Ohio; Sallisbury Chaptor of Royal Arch Masons, of Middleport, and Ohio Valley Commandery of Knights Templar from Pomeroy.

The Grand Lodge, escorted by these several bodies, repaired to the site of the proposed school building, and laid the corner stone in accordance with the ancient usages and customs of the Masonic fraternity.

An able and interesting address was delivered by the Grand Master, and heard with much pleasure by the Craft.

The Grand Lodge was then called from labor to refresh ment, and proceeded to a grove near the town of Clifton, where the bounty of the brethren had provided a substantial repast, which was partaken of by all present.

After some time spent in social converso, the Grand Lodge returned to the Lodge room; was called from refreshment to labor, and was soon thereafter closed in AMPLE FORM and harmony.

A. C. MASON,

Grand Secretary, pro-tem.

T. H. LOGAN,

Grand Master.

IN GRAND LODGE.

FUNERAL OF GRAND TREASURER WILSON.

In obedience to the call of the M. W. Grand Master, a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia was held in Masonic Temple in the city of Wheeling on Saturday, the 26th day of July, 1873, at which there were present: