Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-06-14
GRAND LODGE OPENED.
First Day of the 1o7th Annual
Communication.
Address by Grand Master w. Scott Nay
Annual Meetings OF the Masonic
Veteran Association and the Red
Cross Of Constantine.

The 10th annual communication of the
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and |
Accepted Masons in the State of Vermont,
was convened in the Temple yesterday
morning at $3.50 o'clock with NJ. W., w.
Scott Nay presiding. There was good
attendance of delegates, which was in
creased by the arrivals upon the noon
trains The session of the Grand Lodge
was opened in ample form by the invo-
cation of Divine blessing by the Grand
Chaplain, Rev. Edwin Wheelock.
Reports of various committees were
presented and routine business transactcd.
The annual address of NJ. w, w: Scott
Nay was then delivered.
GRAND MASTERS ADDRESS.
Grand Master Nays annual address was
scholarly and exhaustive review of the
past year in masonry. Omitting details
and statistics some of the salient features
follows:
1t is with qualification that 1 am able to
record that harmony has characterized
the business of the Grand Lodge during
the year past and nothing has arisen to
disturb the cordial relations between this
and sister grand lodges,--in fact | have
been greatly pleased with everything re-
lating to our inter-jurisdctional welfare.
MASONIC HOME.
The keynote of an important subject was
sounded at our last annual communica'
ton, having in view the needs of the
worthy brother in distress" as well as
the widow and orphan, when at some flu
ture season fortune smiles upon us with
greater favor. A Masonic home is all that
such a name implies, to which an allusion
only should awaken in the breast of every
Sincere Mason, desire TO aid, which
eventually will bring about a happy con-
summation resulting from thoughts ana
wishes put into action. The practical stlg-
gestonS of the Worshipful Grand Lee
turer at the District Deputies meeting
last October have already begun to bear
fruit and the action of some lodges in
placing upon their affairs a box marked
Masonic Home Fund" is commendable,
an act which appeals in language strong
er than words to the charitable instincts
of every brother. | believe that / do not
exceed my prerogative when presuming to
advise initiating the action of the lodges
to which | allude, whereby the nickel or
dime may find an appropriate receptacle
and lend a silent but powerful influence in
the Worthiest cause
We are all familiar with the Scotch
adage, Many mickle makes Il mucklc"
and how many can foresee the results
which the silent charity of more than ten
thousand Vermont Masons may attain? l
can conceive nothing that would more rem
der a day red letter" day TO every
voted to this object by which proceeds OF
whatever entertainment. under the aus
pices Of the lodge may be planned, would
be devoted to this purpose. I trust the
subject may be duly considered.
MASONIC TEMPLE.
There is little of interest to be said CON
corning the temple that will not be
brought to your notice in the report of the
Grand Treasurer. The trustees have obey
ed your Instructions of one year ago re-
speeding the change advised in heating APP
paratus, which has proved to be s1tcp IN
the interest of economy, there being less
coal used tor the purposes required
While there have been changes of tenants
in some of the offices, only a small loss
has been occasioned in the interim, while
the outlook is encouraging for continuance
of present leases. The corner store is still
unoccupied, although we have derived
some income from temporary leases.
The income from the rental of the pub
lie hall has been gratifying. there having
been much demand for the room for such
purposes as a han is usually desired. We
believe that as the public become more
conHersant with the advantages We give
them, an increased revenue can be derived
from this source.
The interest on our Indebtedness was
promptly paid June list, and there are nc
outstanding unpaid accounts. We have
also paid $1,000 on our debt, with fair
outlook that the amount may be increa sed
at no distant day
| am aware that any suggestion | may
make concerning an increase Of per capita
tax towards Fastening the payment of our
Indebtedness will meet with some disap-
proval yet it may not be presumptous fol
me TO suggest that such a step would not
he unwise, and in the minds of many OF
the craft, a condition of affairs to be
hoped for. A tax of less than one-tenth OF
one cent per day which is now levied, can
not be considered burdensome, and if II
was one-siXth of one cent, instead of the
present amount, il would not require much
self-denial and would afford a desirable
. increase of funds by which the day might
; be FASTENED when our Indebtedness coulG
be refunded, and the interest materially
t reduced.
> Every Mason in Vermont should fee
, that he has an individual interest in oul
= temple home and 1t should be a matter OF
pride and justly so to every brother, tC
know that every cent contributed to thi;
cause is an investment that may be re
turned many times compounded.
: CONCLUSION.
Brethren, we are to be congratulate
that the conditions favoring Freemasonry
in Vermont are so encouraging, and tina
the progress We have made during the
: and enthusiasm that is characteristic o
the earnest brother.
The increase in our membership, n fac
> gratifying in itself, is also of interest in
asmuch it indicates the favor Will
which the seeker for Masonic knowledg,
manifests towards the institution, an,
. which prompts him to knock for admis
sion.
\ The younger element among us, while
T not protesting infalliblity in the exempt
G tication of the work entrusted to them
+ have shown degree of proficiency which
z merits the highest praise, while the "elde
y brother" who has formerly borne tn
Il burden and heat of the day" is IA livini
Il eXemplar of our pure principles
5 The labors of the year are over, and
5 return to you the working tools which /
= months ago, with all the attendant re
y sponsibltes, you entrusted to my care.
u am conscious of short cOmings, and realiz
, to the fullest extent how imperfect ha
{ been my work as compared with that o
t the ideal Grand Master My aim has bee
:, to fulfill the mission with which | wa
charged laboring for and In the interes
of the whole brotherhood, whose welfar
has been my inspiration. and to whom
have become attached by more thai
~ fraternal union. / cannot indcat' i
a words the sentiments l would express, no
- can ! convey in suitable terms the zee
thankfulness that is due to YOU for tn
q loyalty, kindness and affection which ha