New-York tribune., 1896-05-31
DEPARTMENT
....,.crrn ny THE GRAND LIBRARIAN OF THE
oo.vn LODGE OF THE STATE OF NETWORK.
THE GRAND LODGE.

THE GRAND LODGE.
ovt Tuesday. June .. at o'clock p. M. the
y" .Iodge of Free Masons of the State OF New
49, nil, convene In its one hundred and hf-
i or,ual convention. The representatives
90, ,,dges and Of over 10000 Masons VIII then
4" ,,o - listen 10 the report of the Grand Mas
cuord Treasurer and Grand Secretary and
w. .~,.,a.a for the present and for the future
..,u no n very important meeting in more
.,s i" than one. more especially as new con-
'.,.n,,on will be adopted. and any alteration or
orsanic law is always cf the greatest impor-
ue I,,tle indeed. did the fathers know or an
'''..,e - the great dimensions to which the fra
1T, would grow and when handful OF
s,'..n, assembled in the city of London. in 1871
"a established the present system OF government
. 40 ,raternitv-which system has since been
.soo,sa by all the Masons in the civilized world
..a called Grand LOdges-they builded indeed
-,,,s,v and WELL and better than they knew
rhor little thought what vast proportions the fra
..rr,,v would attain, and how very important
...s their legislation. And again. when the enc
~,.. a, the craft in this country. and more espe-
.,uv,n This State in 1897 to 1880 and lS3Z, threw
=, ,bs,r caps and shouted themselves hoarse
.u, ,ov At the downfall Of Freemasonry. they
u,,,s thought that to-day, In this year or grace
,0o6 delegates representing over 9O,OOo Masons
|. good standing in this State will assemble to
end I'D a grand choral Of praise and thanks
swing for mercies vouchsafed and prosperity ac-
c0rded that these thousa nd delegates, who repre-
,ent our fraternity in the Grand Lodge, also rep
resent the very best citizens OF our community
represent the elite, the very acme OF eohd con-
seryative loyal American citizenship VINO, when
the gavel OF NJ. W. John Stewart, the Grahu
Master. sounds, will bow their heads to listen de-
youty to the prayer Of the Grand Chapialh'
and after singing In praise OF the Great Am
with grateful hearts and sincere hope OF future
blessing. will calmly and harmoniously settle
down to the business Of the hour. Surely the
hand Of the Lord Is spread out upon this frater-
nty the prayer of the widow and the orphan
rises to the Throne Of Grace and Is heard, TO-
se,her with paeans Of JOY from angels worship
png In the everlasting presence OF Jehovah.
Harmony and prosperity prevail throughout
this great Jurisdiction of the Empire state ana
never before did the craft enjoy more confidence
and more respect at the hands Of all the COM
munity The material wealth of the Grand Lodge
and the various lodges under its sway through
out the State Is much greater than ever before
we own property In this city and In the city
Of Utica worth over S3000000, and there IL
handsome cash surplus in deposit through the
Grand Lodge officers, and another lodged with
the trustees besides our Temples are found in
every city Of the State. Buffalo leads with a
$10O0000 Temple. Albany will dedicate
magnificent structure devoted to Masonry this
fall Peekskill, Newark Cohoes, everywhere In
this State Masonry rears 1t Temples and builds
pAcf1a oil, ,li ~ Ind
vidual lodges, with funds reaching high up in
the thousands all devoted to the best interest OF
Masonry and to humanity. Never did the Grand
Lodge assemble under more favorable auspices
Never did the Grand Lodge assemble with greater
cause for gratitude to the Almighty Father. The
countless blessings, past and present. the brill
liant prospects aye the almost certainty Of the
future, devouty attunes our appreciatve hearts
10 sing praise TO God from whom all blessings
now.' We would indeed. be unworthy OF all this
II we were not deeply impressed with the impor-
tance Of the situation and with the responsibility
which rests upon us TO take good Of the
precious Inheritance handed down 10 us by the
fathers.
In looking back and reviewing the Masonic
year just past the fraternity has every reason 10
be well satisfied and to feel proud Of Its present
status The dignity and good name OF the craft
nave been scrupuously guarded. and everything
mas oeen done 70 keep aid elevate Masonry 10
Master met here and there with fral human
nature. as II is found in all large organizations
Sut with swift justice all offenders were dealt
Win according to Masonic law and usage and
Wherever possible Justice was tempered with
mercy Hence the Grand Master Is and has been
1uring tie entire year in close touch with every
poge and with all the brethren OF the craft
Inc trustees too will make very satisfactory
.,,port OF the important charge committed 10
Meif care by the brethren. The homes in Utica
sao IN Tap2an are In excellent condition. and the
p,or and needy Of our household are looked
ster oy these kind hearted and careful brethren.
ava the office Of the Grand Secretary, place
~nee business is dispatched with the regularity
eiockwork, is ready to make a highly salts
,n~Sss~! report 10 the Grand Lodge. and the
i,sea i,oasa proceedings will be issued as usual with
~. .,..aung rapidity. Altogether. then. the heart
sns ma. ,nsn@ Of the brethren due Him on high.
Srs,ut aNet 10 the Grand Master, and mutual con-
h h ions are I'm order but above this should
ns.' une earnest desire to keep In this groove 10
sst y, ere IN well doing. and keep the best inter
es' OF all the craft at heart