Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-22
MASONS ARE ACTIVE.
rho Richmond Bodies Taking Up ThelI
Work With Energy.
rnE GRAND LODGE MEETING.
tpterest Felt I'm the Elections to he
Held at the Meeting I'm December
Omces over which There May he
Contests.

The fall Of the year Is always an active
period in Masonry. and this year Is no
exception. The Masonic brethren who
have been ioath to sit IN hot lodge-rooms
during tho heated period. and have conse-
quently ahsented themselves from several
Of the monthly communications, begin
again to attend the sessions of their re-
spective lodges, and matters at the Tenn
pie begin TO assume a more lively aspect
There Is always more work to be done
In lodges in the fall and winter than in
the other seasons. More candidates offer
themselves for the various degrees, ana
altogether there Is more activity. VI
course. this activity does not extend to
all Of the lodges. They. like any other
institutions, have their periods OF sue
cesses and reverses, and while some OF
the lodges may be on the topmost ROUNDS
Of success. with an abundance OF new
material on which to work, others are
apparently on the decline. and candi-
date for q degree Is an unknown guam
tity.
A SUCCESSFUL LODGE.
Just at present the lodge which is at
tracing most attention in this city is
Richmond, No. 10. which last week raised
five candidates to the sublime degree OF
Master Mason. This lodge has been IN
creasing In membership at an astonsn-
ingly rapid rate for some months, and an
era OF almost unprecedented prosperity
has dawned for H.
Colonel Henry NJ. Boykin Is master OF
No. 10, and its success is largely due 10
his indefatigable efforts In its behalt'
A Masonic lodge is always dependent TO
a large degree on its master. and Colonel
Boykin has done much toward making
No. 10 prominent. Besides being promi-
nent for its large membership, No. 10
Is noted for the beauty with which It's
work II done. and its communications are
always attended by a very large contin-
gent from the other lodges in the city.
GRAND LODGE MEETING.
The Grand Lodge will assemble in Rich
mond on the first Tuesday in December.
when legislation for the government OF
the various lodges throughout the State
will be enacted and other business will
be transacted. The Grand Lodge usually
remains in session for three days, and IL
Is understood that considerable business
will occupy its attention this year. Owing
to the death OF two OF the officers OF the
Grand Lodge the body has been
practically reorganized since its last
meeting here, and much interest among
Masons centres in the election Of officers
for the next year. There are apt 10 be
many changes, and several of the places
will be hotly contested for among brother
Masons.
Colonel ]. +. Fitzgerald, an attorney OF
Farmville. is Grand Master. and as he has
only served one year. and the custom
generally observed Is for the Grand Mas
ter to serve at least two years. he will
In all probability succeed himself. The
next ranking officer is that of Deputy
Grand Master. now filled by Major A. r.
Courtney. of this city. who will probably
succeed himself. The office of Grand
Senior Warden, made vacant by the re-
cent death Of Mr.. F. A. Read. OF Alex
andria, has not yet been filed, but will
probably be when the supreme body
meets by the promotion Of Grandchildren
Warden Judge r. t. w. Duke. OF Char
lottesville.
Mr.. George w. Wright, of Marion. the
Grand Junior Deacon, Will in all proba-
bility he showed up to the Office of Grand
Junior Warden. and he in turn will. most
likely be succeeded by Mr.. II. o. Kerns,
VI outiciiiii, the 1Iduu JuiilOr OtdCOH
SECRETARY AND TREASURER.
BY the death OF Mr.. William d. Isaacs.
Sr., the Offices Of Grand Secretary and
Grand Treasurer were made vacant, ard
the Grand Master appointed to the
former Major ]. v. Bidgood. Of this
city. and TO the latter. Colonel Fred.
Pleasants. also Of Richmond. Both of
these gentlemen are very popular in
Nna nfr h,,t her h.. ma
Lodge meets they will perhaps find seve-
raj other aspirants for the positions they
now hold. Some of those who will con-
test for these places will have a strong
following, and the fight for the positions.
while 1t will be amicably carried on,
will. II is expected. be quite heated.
The other officers Of the Grand Lodge
are the Rev. George w. Dame, of Dan
VILE. Chaplain; PURSUANT Junius A.
Cosby. of Richmond; Grand Tier, w. c.
Wilkinson, OF Richmond. and Grand
Steward, William Krause. of Richmond.
These officers will probably not be dis
turbed.
The proceedings Of the Grand Lodge
are always of a most interesting scharac'
ter. The lodge will be opened on tbs
first night with the usual Masonic cere.
monies. and the Grand Master will read
his annual address. This win be referred
TO committee. and the various stand
ing committees will then be appoint
ed. Then will follow the reports o.
committee and the grand officers.
On the second day the Grand Commit
tee. on Work will exemplify one or NOR,
degrees. and, upon the conclusion Of
sthis most interesting work, appeals, Il
there be any, from the various lodges
will be heard and acted upon. The cleo
ton Of officers win then be gone into
and on the next day the annual report.
and other matters will be considered
The Grand Master will name the fifty
district deputy grand masters, who ar,
to serve for the ensuing year. and tn,
Grand Lodge will adjourn to meet agair
next year.