The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-02-24


We have before us the Proceedings of the
Fifth Annual Communication of this Grand
Lodge, held at Wheeling in November last
Of the thirty-siX Lodges in the Jurisdiction,
thirty-one were represented The Grand
Master, NJ. W.. VIM. J. Bates, reports, in
his Address, the result of the commission to
the Grand Lodge of Virginia to adjust the
difficulties which had delayed recognition
| by the latter body. These, he-states. have
been satisfactorily settled, and in manner
which beautifully illustrates the happy in
fluence of a faithful and conscientious ad-
herence to the principles and teachings of
our Institution, in all negotiations for the
settlement of any difference which may un-
fortunately occur among U.S.
We see by the report of the commission
that the Grand Lodge ofVirginia-
Resolved, That the political boundaries of
State being definitely given and decided
upon, fixes the Masonic Jurisdiction of the
Grand Lodge of that State, except in so far
as rights may have vested under Charters
heretofore lawfully issued.
The Grand Lodge further resolved to
recognize the said Grand Lodge of West
Virginia, and commended her to all other
Grand Masonic Bodies.
Grand Master Bates recommends an ex-
preston by the Grand Lodge sustaining the
Grand Lodge of Louisiana in the issue be-
tween that body and the Grand Orient of
France, justly regarding the action Of the
latter as utterly at variance with the prin-
ciples regulating the Jurisdiction and auth
GRITTY of Grand Lodges.
The Grand Treasurer reports receipts
$1.279 10, and a balance on hand of $240 II.
The electiue officers of this Grand Lodge
are: Grand Master, Dep Grand Master,
Grand Wardens, Secretary and Treasurer.
All others, including Grand Lecturer, are
appointed by the Grand Master. The Grand
Lecturer appoints his Deputies; and as three
Deputies are appointed for Wheeling alone,
we infer that the brethren in that smoky
village are sadly in need of more light.
The corps of District Deputy Grand Mas
tiers is no less than eight in number, or
about five Lodges to each Deputy. In
Mississippi the average is forty-five Lodges
to each Deputy. In West Virginia, the
District Deputy Gland Masters visit the
Lodges and make report to the Grand
Lodge. In Mississippi, the Districts are so
large that this is but partially done; and it
is matter of surprise that the repeated
recommendations of our Grand Masters of
an increase of the Districts have at each
Communication received only a hurried
consideration.
The "Grand Committee"-a grand idea.
that Ito which had been referred proposed
amendments to the Regulations, submitted
the following. which was postponed until
next Communication
I'm all cases of advancement from one
degree to another, it shall be necessary for
the brother wishing TO be advanced to I'M
dergo an examination in open Lodge in the
degree from which he proposes to be adj
vanced after which eligibility to such adj
vancement, predicated upon his Masonic
proficiency, shall be decided by vote in the
Masters degree. and the suffrages of a ma
jority present shall determine on the sub
ject; but it shall be unnecessary for ballot
to be taken in the Masters degree, and to be
clear as a test of his moral fitness before he
can be received into the proposed degree"
Seven new Lodges were chartered. The
Foreign Correspondence Committee review
ed the Proceedings of 80 Grand Lodges, Mis-
sissippi for 1869 included. The Address of
Grand Master Gathright is freely quoted
from, and pronounced ''truly Masonic"
paper.
The statistical summary of SO Lodges
shows a total membership of 1,S45, 262
raised, ia rejected, and Is died. There
were no expulsions.
The Grand Master, VIM. J. Bates, and the
Grand Secretary, Thos. IL. Logan, were re-
elected.