The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-02-21

yer referred TO MN. Ills report In 1871,
on the proposition to establish and en-
dow q Masonic Widows and Orphans
Home and Industrial School, was the re-
suit of the most painstaking investiga-
tion-his statistics including the great
charities of England; and although the
document was lengthy, it was listened
to with intense interest throughout.
The Grand Lodge did not see the way
clear to enter upon a work of such inn
posing proportions, yet an impression
was made in behalf Of some systematic
scheme Of relief that will take substan-
tial shape ere many years. The breth-
rem are not yet prepared to build a new
house for the orphan, but they are very
generous in contributing to the mainten-
ance of those already sheltered.
Judge Speeds next great work for the
Grand Lodge was the compilation, in
1879, of the Revised Statutes--a sys-
tematic and thoroughly classified code of
the mass of rules, regulations and by
laws adopted from time to time. In
this work he was ably assisted by DIR.
John !. hurry and Gen. G. Y. Free
man, members of the Law Committee
that year. The Code was adopted in
1880.
His last and ostlaborious service for
the craft was in editing and indexinp
the Reprint of the proceedings of Grand
Lodge, from the year 1918 to 1852, a
volume Of $50 pages. The index is Sc
complete that every subject, Lodge and
name mentioned in the volume can be
readily found, This handsome volume
bears the imprint of TIE CLARION es-
Enlistment, and is good specimen OF
what may be produced in the way Of
book-making in Mississippi.
| The subject of our sketch presided
over the Royal Craft in 1880 and 1881,
and at the Triennial Grand Chapter III
Detroit, most eloquently and ably de
Tended the Mississippi Plan" of consol
idating the Capitularand Cryptic degrees
Past Grand High Priest J. M. Howry
was his co-representative on that occa
sion, and the latter, with Past Grand
High Priest III. w. Walter had maintain
ed the Mississippi Plan at the previous
Triennial at Buffalo. Judge Speeds dis
cussion Of the subject in his address t
the Grand Chapter of Mississippi in 1881
attracted very general attention, anC
much sharp comment from those who
are on the other side OF the question
At the meeting of Grand Chapter, OF
18th inst, he was elected special repre-
sentative to the general Grand Chapter
to meet in August next, at Denver.
The Grand Lodge, in 1881, presented
Judge Speed an elegant gold Jewel, OF
which was inscribed: "a testimonial from
the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, A. f
and A. M. to Frederic Speed, for emf
nent services, February 10th 1881" NJ
testimonial was ever more worthily be
slowed, and we may say, none more ap
preciated by recipient.
u Judge Speed was united in marriage
/ on 10th May, 1871, to Esther Adele, sec
ond daughter Of the late Past Crane
I Master Giles NJ. Hillyer, and this h,
thinks was the the most fortunate stel
Of his life; in which opinion this writer
i and all who know his accomplished wife
and who have enjoyed the hospitalitie
Of their pleasant and elegant home
heartily concur. During the session O
[ the Grand Lodge last, week, he wore tn,
EdplOA with w 0LdhA NAdbLcI lllll}G
while he presided over the craft.
/ Judge Speed is in the prime of Wig
orous manhood. He is small Of stature
Ebut when he takes the floor on any prop
osition he is seen, heard and felt. II,
lis conceded leader of that younger ele
,Fment which will work out with skill
i the designs on the trestle board, ant
| who will preserve the .ancient land
marks, when such "Custodians Of tn
Work" as Howry, Hardeman, Bowen
4 hurry, Barkley, Mitchell, Patton, Muir
ply, and Galbreath, shall retire from tn
active labors Of the craft. May the,
and all who read this imperfect sketch
meet in the Grand Lodge above, eacl
with work meet for the inspection Of tn
Supreme Ruler Of the Universe.
il We will add, in conclusion, that on r.
firing from the Office Of Grand Master
Bro. Speed was placed on the Law Con
mittee, as Chairman.