to the Craft in general. It is a well written and pains-taking paper. We regret exceedingly that our proceedings had not reached Comp. Wiggin in time to appear in review, but we hope to answer "present" at his next annual roll call. He closes his report as follows: Thus, companions, we close the record of another year. We have selected from the transactions of our sister Grand Chapters such portions as we deemed to be of general interest, and presented them with such comments as their nature seemed to demand. In our examination of the proceedings of other Grand Bodies we have found much to instruct and commend and but little to condemn. Their perusal has afforded us sincere pleasure, not however unqualified with sadness, for the mourning pages so thickly strewn through the various records tell the sad story of many a loved one whose life work is ended and the memory of whose good deeds is left us as a precious legacy to be carefully treasured in our hearts. To many of us the year now numbered with the past has been fraught with sadness and sorrow. Since our last report was presented, we too have "passed under the rod" and have drained to the bitter dregs the cup of affliction. Yet we find consolation in the fact that, although death may wrest from us the objects of our dearest affections, it cannot destroy the memory of their shining virtues, and we are cheered by the thought that, although dead, they still live in the influence which the bright example of their lives still sheds upon our hearts. We congratulate you upon the general peace and prosperity which everywhere prevail; from the North to the South, from the borders of the broad Atlantic to our own sunny home upon the shores the great Pacific, no note of discord mars the general harmony. With slow but certain progress our Order is increasing and sheds the light of its benign teachings wherever civilization leads the way. Amid this general prosperity let us not relax our vigilance, but guard well the outer courts of the tabernacle, seeing that no stone is used in the completion of the temple but such as will pass the test of the Master Overseer's square. To our brother correspondents we are indebted for many tokens of kindly approval and encouragement. Some differences of opinion, relative to matters of law and usage, of course exist, but in the discussion of these differences we have endeavored to keep within the bounds of courteous argument, and have ever been met in the same fraternal spirit. OFFICERS ELECTED. M. E. Wm. Thomas Reynolds, elected, G. H. P. STATISTICS. Forty-one Subordinate Chapters represented, with a membership of 2,475 Companions. CANADA. The Seventeenth Annual Convocation of Royal Arch Masons of Canada, was held in Masonic Hall, City of Ottowa, on Wednesday, 14th of October, A. D. 1874. A. L. 5874. M. E. Comp., C. D. Macdonnell, Grand Z. The Grand Z. opens his address as follows: Shortly, in fact almost immediately after the close of the last session of the Grand Lodge of Canada, our late R. E. Companion, Thomas B. Harris, Grand Scribe. E. of this Grand Chapter, was prostrated by serious illness, and his life despaired of. While in this dangerous state, it was intimated to me by many members of this Grand Chapter that the approaching meeting in August was causing him great uneasiness of mind, and by postponing the same it might be the means-by removing the anxiety-of accelerating his restoration to health. Out of consideration for the eminent services rendered the Royal Craft by our late lamented Companion, and of my own high personal esteem for him, I decided to postpone the meeting of the Grand Chapter until the second Wednesday in October, well aware that in so departing from the constitutional period of assembling for so desirable a cause, it would not only meet with the unanimous approval of the Grand Chapter, but also be deemed a well merited tribute of consideration toward the suffering companion, and the distress thereby entailed upon his afflicted family. Having thus explained the reason for not meeting in August, my first duty will be to record the loss the Royal Craft has sustained by the death of our late Grand Scribe E, R. E. Companion, Thomas E. Harris, who died on the 18th day of August last, and was buried with masonic honors on the 21st of the same month, the Grand Lodge of Canada having been summoned for that special purpose, the M. W. the Grand Master, W. M. Wilson, conducting the ceremonies attendant on the solemn occasion. I availed myself of the mournful privilege of being present in my official capacity, and assisted in paying the last sad tribute of respect to departed merit. In recounting the valuable services of the deceased R. E. Companion to this Grand Chapter, I feel that no language I can use will adequately convey a just sense of the loss it has sustained by his melancholy decease. Elected to the responsible position of Grand Scribe E. at its formation in 1857, each successive year witnessed a renewal of his term of office with the warmest cordiality, until death deprived us of the privilege of again tendering him a fresh mark of the confidence felt in his paintaking energy and unselfish devotion to the interests confided to his trust. Ever prompt and attentive in the discharge of his duties, it was also a distinguished trait of his character to be affable and courteous to all with whom he had business relations; and whether in official or private correspondence with his companions, his views and opinions always breathed that true spirit of Freemasonry which showed how thoroughly his head and heart were embued with its exalted teachings. His unassuming disposition, his generosity of nature, his cheerful readiness at all times and frequently under trying circumstances, to perform acts of substantial kindness tnward those requiring such offices at his hands deservedly won for him from the Royal Craft its highest measure of regard; and now that his period of usefulness on earth has terminated, I doubt not that this Grand Chapter will heartily unite with the other Orders of Masonry-in whose service his best days and energies were spent-in erecting an enduring monument to perpetuate his memory to succeeding generations. PERSONAL TROUBLE BETWEEN THE G. H. P., OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE GRAND REPRESENTATIVE OF CANADA. It appears that the personal relations between the Grand High Priest of the District of Columbia and the Grand Representative of Canada near that Grand Jurisdiction (Comp. Mason) were of such a character as compelled the G. H. P. of the District of Columbia to ask his removal and the substitution of another per son. This gave rise to a lengthy correspondence and the reference of the whole matter to a select Committee of the Canada Grand Chapter, who, in the address of the Grand Z submitted the following report: Your Committee regret to learn that difficulties of a personal nature have arisen between our representative, near the Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia, and the M. E. the Grand H. P. of that jurisdiction, and as the M. E., the G. H. P. has requested the withdrawal of the appointment of R. E Comp. J. E. Mason, your Committee beg to recommend that although we have no cause of dissatisfaction with Comp. Mason, the Grand Z. be requested, if it shall become necessary to withdraw his credentials, as we cannot de sire to have a representative at any Grand Chapter who is not agreeable to those with whom he comes in contact, and whose presence might impair those kindly feelings which should at all times exist between sister Grand bodies. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE, The report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence is submitted through the Chairman Comp. Henry Robertson, and is a full review of the doings of thirty-four Grand Jurisdictions, including Michigan. He reviews the doings of our Grand Chapter for the year 1874, and says the report on Correspondence by the Grand Secretary (J. Eastman Johnson) is excellent, as usual, and says (our) his proceedings for 1873, receive friendly notice. He concludes his address as follows: We fear that we have in this review somewhat exceeded the limits usually assigned to this committee, and it may be that we have also taxed somewhat severely the patience of our readers, who have endeavored to follow us in this our annual stroll through the walks of Capitular Masonry in other jurisdictions. Bnt we have at least tried to present you with a fair summary of the condition of the Royal Craft abroad, and to select from the different proceedings the most interesting matters. It will be perceived that we, as Royal Arch Masons, have great cause to be gratified at our present state of prosperity, and at the general good feeling and fraternal kindness prevailing among the different Bodies. Such is properly the case, for our institution would lose one of its noblest characteristics, were not its effects to be productive of peace and good will, especially toward those linked with us in one indissoluble chain of friendship and affection. IN MEMORIAM. But the saddest words remain to be written, and our loss is yet too recen to be spoken of with composure. Our beloved companion, Thomas Bird Harris, has passed away, and "the place that knew him once, shall know him now no more forever." To those who knew him (and who of the Craft in Canada did not), it is needless to say anything in his praise, but we cannot close this report without bearing our humble tribute of love and respect to one so dear to us all. His devotion to Masonry was well known, and, with him, it was indeed a labor of love. During his Masonic career he was always most zealous in the discharge of his duties, ready to give up his time whenever called upon by the brethren, and ready to embark in every work which required his Masonic as sistance. The urbanity of his manner, the equanimity of his temper, the cheerfulness of his disposition, were all such as to make the performance of his many Masonic duties peculiarly acceptable to all with whom he came in contact, while his vast fund of Masonic knowledge, and his readiness to impart information, rendered him peculiarly fitted for the positions he occupied. But it is on those who were privileged with his intimacy that the blow falls with the most telling effect. Their sorrow is indeed poignant, and their regret will be more lasting. His memory will be ever green in our hearts. By remembering his many virtues, we will pay him a tribute, such as masons owe, to those whom masons revere and love. We can do no more to prove how dearly we loved, and how deeply we respected our departed Compan ion. We can only say, that if Masons wish for an example by which to form their own course, they have but to look to the Masonic career of our revered companion, Thomas Bird Harris. We commit his memory to the custody of the Royal Craft, and may peace rest upon his ashes, as honor must ever rest upon his name. Your Committee heartily concur in the kindly expressions made relative to Comp. Harris, and can assure the Comps. of Canada that we of Michigan who know Comp. Harris deeply deplore his loss, and feel that Canada has cause to say "Royal Arch Masonry has lost a power for good, in losing so great and so good a man as Comp. Harris." Fifty-four subordinate Chapters represented with a membership of 2492 Companions. COLORADO. This Grand Chapter held its First Annual Convocation at Masonic Hall, City of Denver, Sept. 23d, 1875. M. E. Wm. N. Byers, Grand High Priest. |