Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-06-24
Annual Address Of the Grand High Priest.

Companions Of the Grani Hoyri Arch Chapter Of
Vermont:
Again, as your presiding officer, 1t Is my pleasure
TO welcome you to our annual conyocatiOn and greet
YOU with "a favorable report OF our beloved lnstitu-
ton for the past year.
First OF ali our slncere.t thanks and warmesi
gratitude due 10 the Most High for all that lie
done for and ours since last we met BY HIS
wisdom may We he guided IN our deliberations by
His virtue and purity may We he melted 10 holy liv
ing, and finally, through His mercy be received
into that Temple whose builder and maker Is God
MoRTrARy.
The badges Of mourning remind Us that the grim
messenger has visited our members and 10 many
OF Us the extent of His work II well known.
The call for aged and respected cOuhse0rs has
been more frequent than ever before.
Englesby, clifford. Sergeant, Marcy, iIeaon,
Hunt and Colby, whose names occur so often upon
the pages of our Masonic history, have laid down
their working tools and passed 10 the spirit-land.
Others, at middle age and IN young manhood. have
obeyed the summons, which, sooner or later vail
come TO each Of US.
Full notices OF these Companions having L,cn
printed In other addresses this week, We TAX the
liberty OF emitting them herel.
Thus one after, another the veterans are falling.
When became a member OF the body, eight years
ago, many OF heir faces were familiar AMI then
counsels eagerly sought. To-day, their places
are vacant AMI their lights extingulshed. Too soon
the record Will contain the InOurnful page ui the
last survivor Of our companions who chung noh,y
TO Masonry at the sacrifice OF position and repuia-
ton that they might leave for us, as legacy, the
free enjoyment Of Masonic privileges. II Ia our
sacred duty TO honor their memory by transmitiIn.
this legacy pure and unimpaired 10 our success
sOra.
OFFICIAL ACTS.
During the year, have found 1t impossible 10
visit the Chapters IN my district II my PLAIN
duty TO do. but trust the other Grand Officers have
been more faithful.
From correspondence aud from interviews wi.h
tie officers havd been able TO Keep Informed IN
regard 10 the general condition OF the craft aud
have from time NJ time by letter AMI Otherwise
advised, alnonlshcd and ccnsured as occasion
CURED
While many questions have been assumed that
might be recorded as decisions see no good tina,
can arise from placing on record what has often
been decided or the meIc construction OF an
Ambiguous statute. therefore give but three:
A petitioner for membership, If black-balled,
mas renew his petition AT the next regular convU-
cation. In the absence OF hy-law prohibiting 1t.
a regular cOnyocaiIOn cannot Ice called from Ia
bor To refrcshment until subsequent day or con
vocation The business OF regular meeting must
Ice completed ON the day 1t Is called or lie
until n subsequent conyOcation.
The petition OF party residing In the Province
of Quebec should not Ice ballOtcd upon without the
consent Of the Chapter nearest the place Of resi-
deuce IN that jurisdiction.
The constitution of the general Grand Chapter
prohibits the cOnferTing Oi degrees upon II person
'.whose liked place Of abode ~ within any other
State, district or Territory except by consent etc.
This should br construed ~ covering any other
Province OF country where a Grand Chapter Is To-
Gated.
DIsrEssATIoSs.
have frequently been called upon to use the
dispensing power, but have found II necessary TO
do 50 In hut one Instance.
TN the lIth day OF February, lssi, I granted u
dispen5ation 10 Tucker Chapter, No. 10, allowing
the election OF officers AT a special convOcaiion to
he warned and held for that purpose, good cause
having been shown.
GRhSD REPRESENTATIVES.
| In September last, | received "A communication
from most excellent A. ". Blakesly, rendering his
resignation As representative near the Grand Chap
| al " klDDuIfpfnn IN