The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-01-22

az CONNECTICUT GRIND LODGES
10th ANIMAL,

Held In Hartford This Week.-Mrs. Re-
marks and suggestions-Two Much Pub
'icity--Ail Meetings Of Grand Lodge sug-
gested for aartford--other Points.
Following is the address essentially of
Grand Master George A, Kies. deliv-
cred at the 10th annual session of the
Connecticut Grand Lodge Of Free Ma
sons in Hartford this week:
Brethren Of the Grand lodge: Time,
IN its ceaseless fight, has brought up
TO the close of another Masonic year,
and we are again permitted to assemble
at this, the 10th annual communication
OF the Grand lodge 1t is meet and
right that we should suplieate wisdom
ana guidance from the supreme archi-
tect OF the universe, to the end that
our legislation may be for the good of
our noble and glorious institution, and
tnat, IN the truest sense of the words,
the Graft may profit thereby"
The following deaths have been re-
ported since our last annual communi
cation; John Gardner Keigwin, past
grand senior deacon of this Grand
lodge, passed away at his home in Will
lmantic, February 20, 1897. Brother
kelgWin was born at Griswod, Con-
necticut, January 49, 1926 and became
member Of Eastern Star lodge, No. "A,
on the 18th of January, 1863, serving as
dts master during the years 1875 to 1877,
inclusive. He was senior steward, jun
Tor deacon and senior deacon of the
Grand lodge during the years 1873, 1879
and 1880, respectively. He was also a
member of chapter, council and com
mandery. Besides his long and honora-
bic Masonic record, his public services
We're many and faithful Although his
attedance at the annual communica-
ton Of the Grand lodge was Of late
years somewhat irregular, we shall sad
ly miss his kindly greeting and genial
presence.
BLUE LODGE FUNERALS.
have felt constrained to deny many
applications for dispensations, among
them one asking permission for lodge
to appear in regalia at the funeral Of a
deceased brother, commandery of
knights Templar, to perform the obse-
quies. This would have been in direct
contravention Of Particular Regula-
tions section g. paragraph H. Although
myself member and admirer of the
order Of knights Templar, am of the
opinion that such applications should
be invariably refusedNas should Except
in extreme eases] all requests for dis
pensations which involve even a tenn
porary abrogation of any of our laws
and regulations These being founded
upon sound principles, their spirit
should be obeyed and upheld. My Off
cial experience convinces me that by
far too many requests for dispense tions
4 are made.
submit for your consideration the
following decision: Non-affilated Ma
sons are not entitled to burial with
Masonic honors, Masonic duties and
functions are of two kinds, namely,
those which can be performed by an in
dividual brother and those which can
be carried out only by a lodge regularly
convened as such. While the non-aff1li-
ate, 50 long as he remains In good
standing otherwise, can claim the for
mer, he is not entitled to any of the
benefits dispensed by the lodge as an
organization, having voluntarily cut
himself off from such by his own acts.
Masonic burial being lodge function,
1t can be claimed only in case of one
who at the time of his death was a
Master Mason in good standing and
regularly affiliated with some lodge.
Two lodges, Warren, No. 80, and
Lyon, NO 1O5, have voluntarily surren-
dered their charters. The action
of Warren was prompted by an appar-
emily impending renewal of former dis
sessions, which am convinced were
most effectualy avoided by the course
koyx Tn 1a Of M
los, it would seem that state of dry
rot has existed for some time, and am
by no means sure that it was the fault
solely of its last officers.
MASONIC HOME AND VETERANS.
Although my other engagements
have prevented me from visiting the
Masonic home as frequently as | wish
ed, / yield to none as regards my in
terest in 1t and my desire to see it
placed upon more secure financial
footing and it's facilities Increased. If
the brethren would more generally
visit 1t, and if they could see the happy
faces Of the inmates when speaking of
the refuge which is ali that stands be-
tween most of them and the grudging-
~ bestowed charity Of a cold world,
am sure they would be imbued with
fresh enthusiasm for this noble work
would remind those of the lodges
which feel that the present per capita
tax is burdensome. that one Grand
lodge, which has long possessed what
is regarded as a model home, assessed
It's subordinate lodges, for a number
Of years Gas / am informed). larger
sum per member.
received cordial and fraternal in
vitation to be present at the twenty
seventh annual reunion of the Masonic
veterans OF Connecticut, which was held
at Ansonia, June "a, 1897. Every broth
er should regard it as pleasure BILE
duty to do all In his power to smooth
the pathway Of these veterans, most of
whom are passing through the twilight
Of life. recommend that the usual ap-
preparation be made for the purpose of
assisting them to meet the expenses of
their organization
1t is my opinion that some action
should be taken regarding our ritual.
According to my information, the
Grand lodge, more than thirty years
ago, adopted a standard work as exem-
plified before them by then grand lee
turer, our late Brother Hatch From
time to time various changes have been
made in the ''non-essentials" AS
neither these nor the original work
could be made a matter of authorized