The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-10
THE GRAND
LODGE MASONS
1t C0nvenes in the Masonic
Hall Tonight,
AN IMPORTANT SESSION
WILL WITHDRAW FELLOWSHIP
FROM WASHINGTON GRAND
LODGE.
CENlENlAL OF WASAlNGTON'S DEATH
Delegates will be Elected to Represent he
Grand Lodge Of North Carolina at this
international Event. Order in
Good Condition.


Carolina convenes here tonight at 1850
o'clock in Masonic Hail. 1t will be
the one hundred and twelfth annual
communication and will be largely at
tended
A number of the grand officers are al
ready here. Among them are Messrs.
Walter E. Moore, of Webster; Francis
d. Winston, Martin Willard, of Will
mington; b. s. Register, of Oxford; b.
w. Hatcher, of Siler City; and DR.. T..
j. Noble, of Selma, and resident Off
GERS as follows: Messrs. John G.. Drew
~, William Simpson and r. II. Bradley.
Other grand officers will arrive today.
Among the grand representatives here
are. DR.. j. B. Griggs, Messrs. j. c..
Grice. A. ]. Harold, +. I'll. Bahnston,
Swain, Stone, Edwards and Clinard.
This session of the Grand Lodge will
be an especially important one. 1t will
be called to order by Most Worshipful
Grand Master Walter e. Moore.
One of the most important matters to
come mp will be the selection of delegates
from this grand body to take part in the
celebration exercises of the death of
George Washington, who was an emil
nent Mason. These exercises are in
charge of the Fredericksburg lodge and
Wi take place on December 14th next
at Mount Vernon. 1t will be an interna-
tional affair. President Mckinley, at
the instance of Fredericksburg lodge, has
extended an invitation to the Prince of
Wales, who is Grand Master, to be
present and take part in the ceremonies,
and -he has partially consented to do
so. The Virginia Grand Lodge has been
at work arranging for this celebration for
so,,sc time. President George Washing
ton was q member of Fredericksburg
-'dge, which has charge of the "alebra-
ton.
Another matter of import will be the
question of withdrawing fellowship from
the Washington State Grand Lodge for
recognizing negro Masons. Some four
or ffve months ago the Grand Lodge of
that State recognized negro Masons. and
every Grand Lodge in the United States
which has convened since have denounc-
ed their action and have withdrawn fell
lowship. This Grand Lodge will no
doubt withdraw fellowship also.
Another question will be whether this
Grand Lodge will continue to recognize
the Grand Lodge of Peru. About six
months ago the Grand Lodge of that jul
risdiction promulgated decree among the
lodges that it was not necessary to have
the Holy Bible in the lodge room during
the opening or closing of the lodges. The
Holy Bible has always been one of the
great lights in Masonry and no lodge can
legally open without it being in the
lodge room. Every Grand Lodge which
has met since denounced the action of
the Grand Master of Peru and withdrew
ell -. n
these denunciatioins the Grand Lodge of
Peru has denounced the action of their
Grand Master and have sent out re-
ports asking the Grand Lodges to re-
consider their action since they them
selves have denounced his action.
1t is striking fact that the Grand Mas
ter who issued that decree was named
Christian Dam.
The present Most Worshipful Grand
Master. Walter Il. Moore has served two
terms. the customary limitand will retire.
lie will probably be succeeded by DR.. II.
j. Noble. The present Grand Master
has made one of the most efficient. wisest
and capable officer that the Grand Lodge
has ever had
There are 307 lodges in the State. with
membership of 1851. This is an in
crease of 454 during the past year.
The collections for the year have been
S6,124.20. In addition TO this the va
rious lodges have raised $500 and Mr..
Ben Duke has given $500. The $15.-
600 contributed by the various lodges and
Mr.. Duke has been used in putting the
Oxford asylum building in frst-class
shape. The other contributions were ex-
pended for the support of the orphans
and the defraying of the expenses of the
Grand Lodge. There are 24S children at
the Oxford asylum, which is principally
supported by the Masons of the State.
The report of the secreatry and treas
urer show the order in a most healthy
state.