He quotes the decisions made by Comp. Sawyer, and says they are of general interest to the Craft.

Comp. Corson says:

The Grand High Priest acknowledges the reception of a letter from the Grand Secretary of this State, which he quotes, requesting an interchange of representatives. The Grand Chapter of Michigan has never formally adopted the system, nor (we believe) has it ever formally condemned it. Companion Sawyer makes a good argument in favor of the system.

GRAND REPRESENTATIVE.

He then proceeds to give that part of Comp. Sawyer's address relative to his appointment of Comp. Wm. H. McIlhanney, G. H. P. of New Jersey, as Representative of the Grand Chapter of Michigan near the Grand Chapter of New Jersey, and of his recommendation of Comp. Salathiel C. Coffinberry, of this State, as Representative of that Grand Chapter near the Grand Chapter of Michigan, and says:

Companion Coffinberry's commission was duly made out and forwarded to him, but Companion McIlhanney's commission has not yet reached him. Companion McIlhanney, after waiting a considerable time, wrote to Companion Sawyer to know why his "picture paper" hadn't come to hand. The reason will be found in the part of the following extract from the Grand High Priest's address which we have italicized:

Comp. Sawyer says:

"That, as my action in appointing you Grand Representative of this Grand Chapter, near the Grand Chapter of New Jersey, was without precedent in this Grand Jurisdiction, and in opposition to some of our leading members, especially the Grand Secretary, I did not, therefore, feel that it would be strictly proper for me to require that officer to issue a Commission under the Seal of the Grand Chapter, for the object named, until the Grand Chapter had taken further action upon the subject.'"

REPORT OF SPECIAL

COMMITTEE ON GRAND REPRESENTATIVE

SYSTEM.

Comp. Corson then gives the report of a special committee appointed on this very question of Grand Representative sys

tem, and says:

Then the Grand Chapter of Michigan arose in its might to grapple with gigantic question. With sleeves rolled up and muscles braced to

this most

the utmost tension, it wrestled with the subject, and, after a hard tussleadopted the report, did you say? O! no, by no manner of means. Well, then, rejected the report? Not at all. This Grand Chapter did neither one of these things or the other, but, as the records say, "after a free and full discussion" the report was " laid on the table." Noble Michiganders!

Whether Companion Coffinberry was received as our Representative or not we cannot learn from, the minutes. Poor Companion McIlhanney; we weep for him. Will Michigan furnish the coffin to bury him, for we fear that he cannot recover from this blow.

He closes his "say so" on his "hobby" as follows:

Just one word, seriously, on this subject, and we will have done. We do not deny the right of any Grand Chapter to adopt or reject the Representative system. Each Grand Chapter has the right to regulate its own internal affairs. But we do most unhesitatingly assert that it is neither generous, manly nor decent for any man, or body of men, to receive what they will not give. If the Grand Chapter of Michigan really disapproves of the Representative system, then it has no moral right to receive Representatives from other Grand Chapters, for, by thus doing, it is encouraging the very thing which it pretends to condemn, and no honorable man can consent to receive a favor for which he cannot make some return.

Now your Committee submit in all candor that Comp. Corson is unusually severe in this matter. It is hard for a "Jersey

man" to say die even when in the wrong.

Michigan now stands, and always has stood, ready to render a quid pro quo for all favors received, but please inform us what the Grand Chapter of Michigan had to do with this matter.

During recess Comp. Corson plays "Big Injin" with Comp. Sawyer, and recommends a Companion to fill the position (of what?) Grand Representative near our Grand Chapter, an office (or whatever else you may call it) that is not known in our jurisdiction, and asks Comp. Sawyer to return the compliment, which he does, and very rightly, too. we think, as New Jersey recognizes the Grand Representative system.

Comp. Grand Secretary Johnson is asked to attach the seal of the Grand Chapter to what Comp. Corson himself calls the "picture paper," and he refused, or rather says to G. H. P. Sawyer that time and again Michigan in her assembled wisdom has seen fit to vote against the said representative system, and he prefers that it lay over for future action; and on that further

action the Grand Chapter spoke, and again refused to undo its former action.

Comp. Coffinberry was not present at our last session of the Grand Chapter, and we had no opportunity to see his "picture paper," and thus do honor to New Jersey, had we been so inclined.

We do hope and believe that Comp. Corson does not reflect the sentiments of Comp. McIlhanney in this matter.

When by logical argument our Grand Chapter is convinced that it is best for their interests and the good of Capitular Masonry to adopt the representative system, we will most cordially and fraternally welcome Comp. McIlhanney to our midst, as one of the "Grand Council," but until then we hope Comp. Corson will see the very unreasonable grounds he occupies, and do us justice when next he reviews our Grand doings.

We cheerfully give place to what Comp. Corson says in another place relative to Comp. Johnson :

We sincerely regret that Companion Johnson has left the reportorial corps; His place cannot be easily filled, for his reports have been most admirably written. We of the guild will greatly miss him.

We quote Comp. Corson's conclusion to his report, as follows:

We have made such liberal extracts from the proceedings of the Grand Chapters which have been noticed as to verify the statement made in the commencement of this Report as to the signal degree of prosperity which has blessed our Institution. There seems to be no need of further comment from us, as we have presented at length such subjects of interest as these proceedings contain. Suffice it to say that the Craft, wherever dispersed, is an unit on all points of material importance. The differences between us are slight and unimportant, and just such as might be expected to prevail between those who exercise freedom of thought and opinion. With one heart, with one Soul, with one mind, the vast army of Royal Arch Masons is seeking the same end, the elevation of our fellow men, the amelioration of sorrow, the exercise of charity, and the cultivation of Universal Brotherhood.

Without any wish to be egotistical, and with no desire to obtrude myself upon the public, I feel that duty requires that I should make some acknowl edgement of the words of sympathy, comfort and consolation which have been sent me from every quarter. These kind words from loving hearts have eheered and encouraged me more than I have power to express. To one and all

of my dear Companions who have felt for and with me, I return my most sincere and heartfelt gratitude. Sorrow and affliction have visited me, and my very soul has been overwhelmed with grief, but at no time have I lost faith in the wisdom and goodness of the kind Father who loveth all of his children, I know not why these severe trials are sent, but I do know that it is for some wise and benificent purpose. Although I can hardly claim to be able to say, with the apostle, "I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to be content; " still, I have not repined or become despondent.

Let us remember, Companions, that each of us have solemn duties to perform, and let us perform those duties with all our heart and soul, our mind, body and strength, for such service only will be accepted by cur Master. Each has his burdens to bear, his sorrows to endure, and "the heart knoweth his own bitterness; " but how light and trifling are they when compared to the reward which will follow well-doing. Let each of us, then, bearing with patience and resignation such trials as may fall to our lot, be constant in duty, and let us at all times be ready to obey the Master's call, "Follow me."

PERSONAL.

Truly do we hope that the presentiment which seems to overshadow Comp. Corson's mind may prove unfounded, and that the day is far in the future that will deprive Royal Arch Masonry throughout the land of one so able and gifted.

New Jersey's Report on Foreign Correspondence without "her Corson" would indeed be a sad sight for those who have learned to look upon them as "one and inseparable."

OFFICERS ELECTED.

M. E. Fred. G. Wiese, elected, Grand High Priest.
R. E. Thos J. Corson, re-elected, Grand Secretary.

STATISTICS.

Thirty-three Subordinate Chapters represented, with a membership of 2,834 Companions.

NEW YORK.

The Seventy-eighth Annual Convocation of this Grand Jurisdiction commenced at Masonic Hall, in the city of Albany, on Tuesday, February 2d, 1875.

M. E. Thos. C. Cassidy, Grand High Priest.
R. E. Christopher G. Fox, Grand Secretary.

ADDRESS.

We quote fully from the opening of the Grand High Priest's address, with the hope that it may be read by all:

Another year has rolled around, since, for the second time you were gene, rous enough to elevate me to the highest office in your gift. When I first re. ceived your votes for this station I feared that I could not execute its important requirements with satisfaction even to myself; but your approbation of my first year's service as the chief executive of Royal Arch Masonry in the Empire State, resulting in my re-election by a unanimous vote, gave me confidence, and believing in the sage Masonic axiom, that "offices in Masonry are neither to be sought or declined;" I cheerfully and gratefully complied with your wishes; cheerfully, because it was my duty; and gratefully, because the position is one that confers honor on the noblest.

From the period of my first induction into office in this Grand Chapter, I have endeavored to qualify myself for the proper discharge of the duties of any position I might have been selected for, by studying the ancient land. marks, making myself acquainted with the laws and constitutions, and seeking intelligence from the great Masonic jurists of the age, with a desire of rendering myself worthy of a station that has in times past been filled by a DeWitt Clinton, a Lewis, an Austin (who all afterwards rose to higher honors,) a Simons, and others whose names will live in Masonic history.

Many years have rolled by since Royal Arch Masonry occupied the proud position it now holds in the State of New York; the fierce political storm that swept over the land in 1827 nearly prostrated it. It has now one hundred and ninety-three working Chapters. One important lesson has been derived: Masonry must stand on its own basis; it must have no entangling alEances. Its objects are apparent to all. To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, bind up the wounds of the afflicted, be good citizens, and to practice and promulgate those moral virtues which the Deity has recorded in his book of revelation, are surely sufficient to guide us while traveling the rough and rugged path of life.

The name Free Mason is indeed an anomaly if we are not free from the vices that lower and degrade humanity. Let us therefore so improve the remaining space of life accorded to us on earth, that when our weak and frail bodies become sepulchral dust, our disembodied spirits may soar aloft where dwell those who have received the crown of immortal life. Life is here but a span, and eternity endless; great is the reward offered to those who do the Lord's will upon earth.

AMICABLE SETTLEMENT OF SLIGHT DIFFICULTIES.

Your Committee are glad to see that the slight differences heretofore existing between the jurisdictions of New York and