The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-25

+. Auendale Lodge, Allendale, Barnwell
District, 18th March, 1866.
5. Branchville Lodge, Braucnville,
orangeburg District, 10Th April, 1866
6. Rock Hill Lodge, Rock Hill, York Dis
trict, 10th April, 1866
Z. Bethel Lodge, Woodruff's, Spartan
burg District, 18th June, 1866.
-, 8 SGnll Shoals Lodge. Scull Shoals
| .. Faust Lodge, Grahana's Turn Out,
Barnwell District, 18th June, 1866.
10. Prosperity Lodge, Frog Level, New
berry District, 18th June. 1866.
II. Her,non Lodge, Milford's Mills, An
derson District, 4th September, 1866.
Edgeticld District, 4th September, 1866.
13;; Brownsville Lodge, Brownsville,
Marlboro District, 4th September, 1866
IA. Livingston Lodge, Livingstons
Mills, Orangeburg District, 12:h Septcm-
| Der, 1866.
Is. Sumter Lodge, sumtcrvillc, Sumter
District, 18th September, 1866.
l6. Amity Lodge, Florence, Darlington
District, 9th September, 1866.
II. Hope Lodge Kennedy's Mills, Barn
well District, 9th September, 1866.
Bethel Lodge is situated in Spartanburg
District, and was recommended by Reid
vile Lodge, of the samo District. Shortly
| after the dlspensation WAS granted, l re-
celved a communication from the W. NJ,
of Wallace Lodge, L4aurens District, com
planning that Bethel WAS nearer to Wal
lace than Reidville ; that the former had
refused re to recommend Bethel; and that
the petition thus rejected was presented
| to Reldvllle and improperly granted.
1t Is about two miles nearer to Wallace
than to Reidville, but the Enorec River,
the dividing limo between Spartauburg and
Laurcns Districts, separates Wallace and
Bethel. When the bridge at the usual
crossing chances to be carried away by
freshets, the distance to be travelled is
greater to Wallace than Reidvillc. As the
application came from residents OF Spar
tanburg, and their convenience as well as
that OF the surrounding community would
be promoted, and as l believed there was
abundant material of excellent quality for
both the Lodges, L did not revoke the dis
pensation, though the action OF Rcidville
Lodge, and the action of the petitioners
in failing to state the facts to me fully
when the application was made, did not
commend them to my approval. The
amendment to the 134th Article OF the
Constitution, adopted at the last Commu-
nlcation Of the Grand Lodge, prohibits a
Lodge located in one District from elect
ing or initiating any member residing in
another District, if there be a Lodge in
the District where the candidate resides.
The material In Spartanburg, though more
convenient to Wallace, cannot be worked
by that Lodge, and L recommend that g
Warrant of Constitution be granted Bethel
Lodge.
1 have received aud beg to lay before
you memorial of the presiding officers Of
the Lodges in tho city Of Columbia. with
reference to the donation NJ ade this Grand
Lodge by the Grand Lodge Of the State Of
Pennsylvania. The Commissioners bv
whom the donation was obtained sSere APP
pointed by the officers of the Grand Lodge
OF this State to represent the necessities
OF the Columbia Lodges, who had lost
their halls, jewels and furniture by the
disastrous fire Of February, 1865, and the
request of these Lodges to have the fund
appropriated exclusively to their benefit,
seems to be founded in Justice. In an in
terview have had with the Commissioners
the view of tho Columbia Lodges is fully
sustained. For reasons entirely satisfac-
tory, which will be explained to you by the
Commissioners, the donation was made to
| the Grand Lodge, to dispense according to
it's discretion but the misfortunes of the
Columbla Lodges unquestiona bly, furnish
ed the consideration for the bounty, and l
respectfully recommend that the whole
sum be appropriated for their benefit
regret to say to you that the Grand
Lecturer of this State, Brother Mackcv.
has communicated to me his purpose of
reslgnlng that position, on account of his
inability. from official enga gemonts in the
secution Of his valuable and much valued
laoors. His contributions to the Lodges in
oral instruction, to the literature of Mason
ry-ln expounding the rites, ceremonies,
ordinances, usages and traditions-:n the
numerous volumes he has published.
places the fraternity under the deepest
obligations to him, who has for more than
quarter of a century labored to dissent
nate and elevate the science of Free
Masonry.
In retiring from 4 position which he has
slgnally adorned for so many years, he will
carry with him the grateful acknowledge
ments OF his brethren, for whose i'm
provement he has labored so assiduously,
reward second only in value to the self
consclonsness OF having performed we'll his
great task.
To secure unity and consistency in the
workings Of the subordinate Lodges. it is
very desirable that this vacancy should be
filled by some worthy, well informed
brother. The Office was created by reso-
luton, which also designated him as the
person to fill it, and his resignation will
not only vacate, but terminate the office.
Ii you concur with me in the proprietv of
continuing the Office, it will be necessary
tor you to take action to that end and
provide salary for him.
As each new presiding officer of the
Grand Lodge assumes his position, he is
subjected to much embarrassment in
deciding the almost innumereble uues-
tions submitted to him, from the omission
or his predecessors to make any record of
the decisions made during their terms.
In q few years, if these decisions were pre-
served, large mass of Masonic iurispru-
dence would be accumulated new officers
would have precedents for the oues-
tious to be decided, and unity, uniformity,
Il Bon, M,