The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-02-24
NJ ASONIC DEPARTMENT.
Extracts from Proceedings of Grand
Lodge.

~NC~0~'N-~N~~-~~N~4@4N-~-
Extracts from Proceedings of Crane
Lodge.
Inc following is the conclusion of the
very able address of Grand Master VIM
French:
brethren-thus you have the record of nv
stewardship. Whether my work has been
ven uohe, II Is your province to saw. can
only claim Tor myself an ardent desire Ia
nave performed every duty with fidelity
ana zeal l have found the duties of the
exalted station to which You called me la
POROUS and exacting, but the labors and
ahAletles have been made pleasant bv
| the Consciousness that | was endeayor.
ing, TO the extent of my ability, to pro-
mote the interests of the Craft committed
10 my care. 1t has been NV pleasure To
answer every letter. from Lodges and indi.
Vldual brethren and to impart such infor-
nation as they desired l have endeavored
| 10 rule the Craft by appeals 10 their sense of
| Ilght ana justice, and not by mailed hand.
| Ia my intercourse with the fraternity. both
| at home and abroad, | have been treated
with the profoundest respect and consid.
Grafton To the Grand Officers and MANY
OF the brethren, | am greatly indebted for
counsel, assistance and cooperation in the
discharge of the important and delicate
duties of my station
Brethren, in few short hours | will re-
turn to your hands the emblem of power
which you entrusted to me one year ago. and
take my seat in your midst with those who
preceded me, with the gratitude of heart
that Is fully sensible of the honor and digni-
" conferred. L am proud beyond expression
ofthe honor you conferred upon me- Within
TINS hall took my first step upon the check
cred floor. At that altar Masonic light
flashed upon my vision, and to-day, in the
midst OF these familiar, and to me venerable
emblems, L, by your choice, hold the most
exalted position that can be conferred upon
any man or Mason. The recollections of this
honor can never be effaced from my memory,
nor the grateful acknowledgements due TO my
brethren from my heart. May he who is
called by you to succeed me be more worthy
OF your confidence, more skilled in the art
OF treemasonry, and more capable of leading
you to higher perfection in those duties
that should distinguish MasoL in their in-
tercourse with their fellow men.
INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP.
From Grand Secretary Report1
The reports of work during past year in |
dicate net gain of about three hundred in .
aggregate strength of tn
craft in Mississippi being nearly ten thoue
sand
The number of affiliations and reinstate-
ments is unusual, and in many Lodges
amounts to a fourth or third of the total
In one Lodge, brother is
reported reinstated who has been out in the
cold suspended for dues for twenty years.
How much he paid to get back ! am unable
to say, but the Grand Treasury is reinforced
to the extent of fifteen dollars on his &C
count. The total back dues to the Grand
Lodge on account of reinstated members,
thus far reported, is 1910 40. These facts
md figures furnish substantial cause for
mutual cOngratulation, and should incite US
% the use of all laudable means to bring
pack to our ranks the thousands who have
lropped out from year to year.
THE MASONIC MUTUAL BENEFIT As5oCIA-
TON.
The NJ. W.. Grand Master, in his ad-
lress, has indicated the main cause of the
occasions during the past year. When, at
he Annual Communication at OkolOna,
our Grand Secretary first ventured to
uggest the propriety of the Craft in Mis-
issippi organizing a Masonic Mutual Bene-
It Association, he did so with some
nisgivings as to how such a proposition
Tould be received. Some of the so-called
ancient Landmarkers are so fixed in the
Id grooves, that they are ready to pounce
pom every design that cannot be found on 3
he trestle- board ofSolOmon and his co>labor-
rs at the building Of the first temple. Some
{ the Foreign Correspondence reviewers
ave expressed nc little amazement that the !
venerable" and conservative" Grand
ecretary of the Grand Lodge of Missis~
ppi should countenance such an "innova-
ion upon the body Of Masonry, as would /.
= 81 H. g., e I
en- during the past year a sum aggregating
early twenty-five thousand dollars. All {
UGH, without argument from me, / turn ?
yer to the tender mercies of Past Grand }
faster HOwry, the able Chairman of our I
who heartily approves our Aid t
.ssociation and explains the supervisory {
elations which our Grand Lodge sustans :
, it. Most of you will remember that !
aalous Craftsman who assisted our Grand I
yler at the last session of the Grand Lodge {
BRO. John Nelson. He became a member q
the Association and within sixty days r
fter his death, in July last, it was my pleas '
re to hand his widow Bro. Barry's check 2
,r nineteen hundred dollars. With moist +
ned ewes and tremulous voice, she remarked, @
This saves my home" | bowed myself !;
ut. thanking God that he had put it into {
ur heads and hearts, thus to help each =
Their at a time when help is needed most. t
On Sabbath last several members Of this q
rand Lodge attended the funeral of that
eloved and devoted man of God, Rev. DIR.
I'm. III. Watkins, man who, for more
IAN two score years, had followed his holy l
llling with singular conservation, ability
nd zeal He loved his fellowman, and in I
lr Institution he recognized one of the i
ost effective agencies in the promotion of '
is welfare and happiness. He became v
Jason in early manhood, and as opportu- 4
ity offered, attended its assemblies and a
,nclaves We remember him in the terri '
e pestilence of 1878, going from house i
every class and color-in this city, and /
,porting to the Towards where physicians 2
I'd nurses and medicines were needed. He, t
TO- became a member of the Masonic Ben a
it Association, and what member thereof /
yes, what Mason is there in this State 9
no would not deem it privilege to con- j
ibute to the comfort and support of this O
rothers family? 20
The Aid Association is a demonstrated 2
recess, and any imperfectons in its work a
~ details can be remedied at its annual h
Getting this week. f