Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-06-06

Vi 30V m06I0E O6WU0EtS VI S6Uul0y
Reviews the Work Of the
Past Year.
The Order in a Flourishing Condi.
tion-Davenport Gets Next
Meeting.
Cedar Rapids, June 6.-The fifty
seventh annual communication Of the
grand lodge OF Iowa. A.. f. and Al M.
opened in Green's opera house Tuesday
with upwards of 1000 delegates in at
tendance. There was 8 big parade In
the morning. when the visiting Masons
were escorted by the Apollo Command
cry, knights Templar, of this city,
from the Masonic library over the prin-
cipal streets of the city to the opera
house. where all the sessions will be
held. The communication will continue
over today and Thursday.
VI.
the Masons to the city, both as chief
executive of Cedar Rapids and as a
member Of the Masonic fraternity. He
said that Cedar Rapids had double
reason to feel proud of the Masonic
fraternity. for here was the home of
the Masonic library, and of that other
great factor in Masonry, the venerable
T. S. Parvin. Continuing. he paid a
high tribute to the Masonic fraternity
as follows:
Yours is a craft which from time
immemorial has reckoned with the
natural forces and the laws of the uni-
verse. a craft which has left it's impress
on the world for thousands of years.
and 1t is not strange that this building
fraternity should be perpetuated in
speculative form, and should become
the parent of all similar institutions OF
the age. These fraternities have exer-
Hcised and are exercising, a silent. but
potential influence upon society. They
have swept away ancient prejudice,
have brought about equality and have
taught the great lesson of human
brotherhood. They have taught the
people of New York. of London and of
San Francisco that there Is no division
among men. that all are brothers and
Sneighbors. They have instilled conf
.dence in business, have aNerted dissen-
sions ard have cultivated harmony.
They have taught all men that they are
created to help and be helped.
The response was gracefully made by
Past Grand Master Fellows. after
which an interesting incident occurred.
Past Grand Master Lambert arose and
said:
II hold in my hand an ivory gavel
with which have opened the fifty
seventh annual communication of the
Iowa grand lodge. This gavel was used
for the same, purpose fifty-two years
ago, period more than the average
life of man, greater than the age Of
most OF you here assembled. and ii
speaking Of it wish to ask the ques;
ton. Is there single man now in tlni:
grand lodge who can rise and say tina,
he saw this gavel then used? If so,
will ask him to rise
Grand Secretary Parvin at once
arose. the only man in the audience
and Grand Master Lambert then PAID
him high tribute as the nestor ant
Ipioneer of Iowa, the patriarch Of al
the grand lodge A1asons of the World
Grand Secretary Parvin then made {
vigorous speech. referring feelingly t.
the decease of many of the Masonic
friends of his younger days.
Grand Master Lambert in his annua
address referred feelingly to the deatI
during the past year of William Alley
jsus Cotton, past grand treasurer, ant
Past Grand Master Edward Augusta.
Gilbert.
Under the head Of .Chartere,
Lodges" he said that the annual re
turns of the lodges for the past yea
show that Masonry in this grand juris
diction is not only in healthy, pros
porous condition, but that Very salts
factory Improvements are noted in va
rious ways. The returns We're received
/ by the grand secretary more promptl,
than usual. The amount of work don,
by the subordinate lodges during 1s9
is shown by the following:
lhltlated.. :. -. 1880. ,96
| Passed. $50. 80. 80. 50
RAISED ..i... ................ .1,76
4 Admitted -. 60
Reinstated 80. ..... ........ %
Io 'l.tll. increase.... -. ......22,6 &c
\ Omitted 80. 80. 80. ............... So
4 l1led $50. so. ..... ..........5.. IS
Suspended for n-Masonic conduct i
Suspended, non-payment dues..... So
f&pelled... ..%..8s.... ....3...... /
Withdrawn, etc.. so. 80. .......
Total decrease So. 4, 81
| Total membership, per report Of
l9oO.... $500. -. 30, 80
| Total membership. per report Of
\ 1872. $50. -. 1850. 49,. ....2S. 43
Galn.... So. ....5..... 5......... 50
The net gain in membership, sos. i
the largest increase for a number o
years. The gain shown by the return
of 1899 was 1853, and the three previous
years was 43l, 41S and 5s4 respectively
An equally satisfactory result is foun,
| in the steady decrease in suspensions
| for the encouragement of dues. For som
years this item has been one Of tn
most annoying recapitulations, an,
while there is yet room for improve
ment. the result Of last years worl
4 causes one to be more hopeful Of tn
future. | am still Of the opinion tina
the number of suspensions for the non
payment of dues is a matter that rest
largely with the masters of the variou
lodges, and where the dues ola brothe
have been allowed to accumulate 70
i fh,.rr.