The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-07-14
ALABAMA.

ALABAMA.
The Forty-Ninth Annual Communication
ofthis Grand Lodge was held at the Masonic
a. L. $3.50. NJ. W.. George ID. Montg0m-
cry pregidfng Ten Grand Officers and eight
Past Grand Officers present.
OF the three hundred and sixty Subordf-
nate Lodges within this Grand Jurisdiction,
two hundred and twenty-four were repre-
sented.
The opening Address of Grand Master
Norris II rich in his own experience of the
workings OF the Order, and manifests deep
interest in the welfare of the Fraternity
over which he has SO long and faithfully
presided.
s.The peculiar eharms'' of those things
which "come down TO us from distant times"
occupies a prominent place in this able
production, and by mastery hand he shows
how ancient institutions 'tbecome connect
ing links between the past and present"
His rich aud varied illustrations drawn
from Individual interest, and social com pact,
in explanation of the secrecy which sur
round the Order (Which Is urged as an OBJ
lection by the profane) are full ofinstructlon
to the initiated, and put in the hands of the
most illiterate Craftsman, weapons which,
though simple and easy OF comprehension,
are possessed of power more than sufficient
to silence the most persistent gainsayer.
ssThe secret tie creates for us sweet SYM
pathy, because there are mutual obligations
and mutual offices, because we cherish more
earnestly a connection which the world
cannot capriciously break and because the
whole life is spent in the indulgence of
friendly feeling, and because common in
terest continued for course of years has
traced impressions on the heart which moth
ing can erase"
The Grand Master notices in appropriate
and fraternal language the death of SAINT
I'll. Dixon. Past s. q. W., who for sometime
previous to his demise had been zealously
employed in collecting material for the
History of Masonry in alabama. Also
Thomas McDougal, who had served as
Grand Tyler for period of nearly twenty
years. Also Doric s. Ball. M. d., who had
served The Grand Lodge as j. G.. w. and
Grand Secretary.
communication from the Grand Lodge
of Louisiana protesting against the action
of the Grand Orient of France based upon
a decree of the Grand Master in 1885, alto
gether ignoring the Jurisdiction of the
Grand Lodge of Louisiana, and grossly vio-
lating the relations of amity which should
exist between all Masonic Bodies, by recog-
niZing elandestine body calling themselves
Masons, and claiming to work in the Sym
bolic Degrees in Masonry, in New Orleans,
State OF louisiana" Is submitted by the
Grand Master and the Grand Lodge asked to
stake immediate action in matter which
SO nearly concerns its Sovereignty, to speak
in terms that cannot be mistaken, and to
maintain its jurisdiction"
cause, and 1t becomes every Grand Lodge
which respects the relations OF amity which
should exist between Masonic Bodies to
speak out, and let itself be heard Louisiana
Is Soyereign in her own jurisdiction, and to
stand by and support her in asserting, and
maintaining her rights is but duty which
we owe to her-to ourselves and to the fra
ternity at large. Her rights are sacred, and
upon no account should they be tress passed
upon by another Grand Body. We sincerely
hope that the Grand Orient may see its error
and make due reperation before 1t is too
late.
The attention of the Grand Lodge is
earnestly called, (by the Grand MASTERY to
the speedy establishment of masonic Or
phans' Home
The special committee appointed at the
COmmun. cation to consider this whole
subject report that 'sthere are five hundred
and fifty six orphans within the bounds of
the twenty-five Lodges heard from. Many
of these are in a truly destitute condition
and are eminently deserving of Masonic
charity"
To provide "ways and means to support
these destitute children the COMMITTEES re-
commended that "a tax of one dollar per
member be assessed on the Subordinate
Lodges per annum-one dollar for each de-
gree eonferre--done dollar for each utilization
and one dollar for each dimit granted, and
that the funds thus raised be paid over to
the Grand Secretary, at each Grand Commn-
nication as the Masonic Orphans Home
Fund.
The Committee on Finance. to whom this
report was referred, reported that t'the sum
oil twelve thousand dollars per annum could
thus he realized but the propriety of levy
ing such tax was referred back to the
Grand Lodge.
This subject is one which commends itself
to the consideration ofthe entire Fraternity
That every Grand Lodge ought to have
HOME for the Orphans of deceased brethren
cannot be doubted, but how the institution
shall be sustained must be determined by
the wisdom of each Grand Lodge.
This subject was brought before our Grand
Lodge ut its last Communication, by petit
ton from two large and influential Lodges,
and the petition referred to the committee
on the "Orphans' Home" but no report ap-
pears from said committee i'm the printed
proceedings. While on this subject it af-
fords Us great pleasure to record that Dale
Lodge, No. %, Alabama, is educating six
children of deceased Masons.
Here Is q noble example, and worthy the
imitation of all who have the heart to do
good 1t shows what Lodge can do when
its members "have a mind TO work" And
we would say to the Lodges in this Grand
Jurisdiction "go and do likewise"
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES dispensatiors
to open new Lodges were granted. But
Notwithstanding these grants, the Grand
Master makes the following pertinent re-
mark which Is not alone applicable to his
own jurisdiction: Brethren, we are, am
fearful making haste too fast.n=
There are many other things we would
like TO notice in this address, but lest we
should trespass too far on the patience of the
worthy and much esteemed brother. who
said to US, 'cut it short--long reports profit
nobody but the printer we pass on. to mat
tiers of dollars and cents.
FINANCE.-The Committee on Finance to
whom was referred the recommendations of
the Grand Master, for printing old records.
and repairs OF Grand Lodge Hall, reported
that 1.-THE time was unpropitious for carrying
out the first, which was concurred in by the
Grand Lodge And in lieu OF the second,
suggested 1.-The propriety and necessity of
erecting Masonic Temple. %To raise the
funds for this purpose the committee re-
commend "that each Subordinate Lodge be
required TO pay to the Grand Secretary at
each annual Communication, in addition TO
all other dues, the sum of fifty cents per
member, and that sueh dues when SO paid
to t1rand Secretary shall, by him be paid
over to the Grand Treasurer, to he entered
20 the credit of the "Grand Lodge Hall
Trust Fund"stand used only in accordance
with said trust and as directed by the Trus-
tees OF said fund.- The Board of1TFuseees
10 consist OF seven mem berS. of whom the
Grand Master shall be ex-o1icio President,
ana ens a no lfeas1rer &c s1ieio the eusto-
Board OF Trustees, all which was concurred
In by the Grand Lodge.
MASONIC JURIsPRUDENCE.-Bro David
Clopton, from the Committee on Masonic
,aN and Jurisprudence, presented a renorf
which shows him co be well versed in Ma
son c Law We would gladly reproduce
the whole Of il, but our space will only per-
NIT us TO clip the following on
NoN-AFFrL1ATED MAsoNs AND DEMrTs-ssIt
il to be deeply regretted that so many Masons,
and Masons, too, who in all other respects
regard and observe their Masonic duties and
obligations are non-afiliated. This is great
and increasing evil; and Grand Lodges have
adopted various expedients for its correction,
buh without avail Perhaps Masonry has suf-
tered more injury from this canae than any