Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-06-05

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We are indebted to friend for pamphlet. copy
of the proceedings of the Grand Lodgs Free and
Accepted Masons of North. Carolina for 1862, from
which We learn that there are 217 Lodges in this.
State. rf...,
The officers of the Grand Lodge for the present
year as as follows: DR.. E. F. Watson, Grand Mas
ter; DR.. John Mccormick, Grand Seuior. Warden !;
Dr. R. K. Speed, Grand Junior Warden; @. ". D.
Hutchings, Grand Treasurer; William T.. Balm,
Grand Secretary. Hon. Edwin G. Reade, Deputy
Grand Master; Rev. James Reid, Grand Chaplain !;
S. P. Horton, Grand Senior Deacon; H. Stephen
son, Grand Junior Deacon; j. n. Long, Grand
Marshal; Dr. Eugene Grissom, Grand Sword Bearer; (;
F. G. Foster, Grand Pursuivant; S. N. Parish,
Grand Tyler ...
We make the following extracts from the excel.
lent address or Communication " by the former
Grand Master, DR.. William G. Hill, on opening the
Lodge in December, 1862:
"When last we met our political horizon was
shrouded in the deepest gloom at war witha cruel
foe, who, regardless of right sought only the sub
version of our liberties and the utter destruction of
all hold dearest and best earth. Disaster fol-
lowed disaster in quick succession, until patriot
hearts grew heavy and hope had welLnigh Perished.
But IN the darkest hour there came a change
"The Lord of Hosts was with us" nerving the arms
ofour soldiers ana inspiring their hearts with daunt
less herOSm. The invading army that beleagured
our Capitol was baffled, defeated demoralized, and
forces everywhere victorious until triumph
after triumph had shed imperiShable lustre on our
arms
Yet, to-day the warcloud is still dark and low
ering. The shadows thcken around us. The foe
is sull straning every nerve and exhausting every
resource to subjugate and destroy u.s. Many of our
brave soldiers are ragged and barefoot while their
loved ones at home pnched by penury and
stared at by famine. Greed of gain too, is abroad
in the land and many fastening to be rich by
grinding the faces of the poor" regardless alike of
the cries of suffering humanity, and the words of
Him who has said: He that withholdeth corn, the
people shall curse him; but blessing shall be upon
the head of him that Selleth it"
The garden spot of our good old State is in the
hand of the Spoler The sound of the gaVel can no
longer be heard in subordinate Lodges, and we
vainly look around for familiar faces which were
wont to greet US here.
Masonry so prosperous and flourishing in peace,
langushes in war. But sad as this reflection may
be- it is but another evidence that the great prnci
pies of our Order nearly allied to the sublime
teachings of linn, whose mission was to proclaim
"peace, good will on earth"
In this nour of our country's peril and distress,
let US be hopeful, and faithful, and patient NOc,
more than ever, should the benign Influence Of the
great principles on which our Order is founded, be
every where felt and recognized-(elt and manifest
ed in the prompt, energetic sefsacr6clng endeayor
to comfort the distressed to succor the needy, to
minister to the wants of the widow and the father
less. This is our mission. Let US gladly fulfill il.
At our last Communication, owing to
the unsettled condition of our public affairs, your
committee on Foreign Correspondence made no re-
port such correspondence having doubtless wholly
ceased. The continuance of the war prccuding, in
great measure, communication with other juris-
dictions, deemed it unnecessary to appoint like
committee during the present year. have received,
however, the proceedings of the following Grand
Lodges, viz: Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida,
Arkansas and Georgia, had at their last annual Com
municstons They are interesting exponents Of
the condition Of the Craft in their several juriSdc
tons, but contain nothing that requires especial
consideration at your hands. L would
earnestly recommend that measures be taken, at our
present Communication, for the relief of such sub
ordinate Lodges in invaded districts liable to
q forfeiture of their Charters for non-payment of
dues and failure IN making their proper returns
Isolated as they are in many instances and pre-
cluded from communicating with their more fortu-
nate brethren, their condition should awaken our
liveliest syDpathies in their behalf 1t
has long been your custUm-one which originated
in Masonic courteSy-to elect for a second term the
incumbent Grand Master; but from this usage, for
the present. would have you depart. Grateful for
the partia;y which first conferred so high trust
and now stands ready to renew it, yet must plead
my advanced ago and arduous professional duties
in bar of further service invoking for our present
reunion the harmony and good will which have
hitherto pervaded our councils"
WIN. G. HILL, Grand Master.