Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-17
MASONIC GRAND LODGE
THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF GRAND
MASTER WALKER.
References to Recent. Deaths - Past
Year an Eventual dne-Recent
Appointments.

/: The Grand Ledge, Z "A. NJ. met in an
nual convocation at Masonic Temple last
evening. The PRINCIPAL business of the ses-
sion was the delivery of the annual adj
dress of Grand Master George H. Walker.
The grand master said:
The year has been a busy and eventful
one. Our communications have been more
frequent than usual and matters of more
than usual Importance are noted in our pro-
ceedings. We have prospered in many
ways. Stronger have we grown numeri-
cally. and our financial condition is most
creditable. while the record shows larger
expenditure in the cause of charity than
perhaps ever before.'
Recent Deaths.
In his report neurology the grand
master said of the late Noble d. La-aer:
For many years his leadership among us
was acknowledged. Possessed of remarka-
BILE natural endowments, in his earlier man.
hood he gave evidence of the traits Of char
acter which made him strong in his in
fuence among his fellow-men. While fear
less In the expression of his views and I'M
compromising in his nature, he was always
actuated by the kindest impulses. II gave
him pleasure to do an act of kindness for
one of his brethren. / recall many deeds
OF this kind that came under my personal
notice. recall also with pleasure many
occasions when / turned to him for advice
and guidance in the performance of Ma
sonic duty and never found him wanting in
wise counsel and In the exercise of the best
judgment"
OF the recent death of Grand Tiler John
n. Birckhead he said:
Perhaps no one among us was better
known to the fraternity of this jurisdiction
than he. He was painstakng and jealous
In the discharge of every duty, patient and
courteous to friend and stranger alike, an
t1c1pating the wants of others at all times,
and In the months to come no one will be
missed from our circle more than he"
Appointments Made.
During the year the grand master APP
pointed the following grand repi esentatives
near sister grand lodges: Illinois, Philander
w. Barclay, Cairo, vice d. NJ. Browning,
deceased; Porto Rico, James Enrique Len
ton. San Juan; Washington, John Arthur,
Seattle.
The following representatives were named
Lurtin r. CHM, vice Isaac s. Tichenor;
Kansas, T. John Newton, vice Noble D.
Larner; Maine, Warren c. Bickford, vice
VIM. A. Galley; Michigan, Charles H.
Smith: Porto Rico, John r. Garrison;
Washington, Samuel r. Bond.
The Singleton Monument.
THE monument to the late William Rey
nolds Singleton, grand secretary, erected
by the Masonic fraternity over his last
resting place in Oak Hill cemetery, was
dedicated with Masonic ceremonies July
o. The ceremonies-werer performed by the
Grand Lodge, with-the assistance of Pen
talpha and William r.. Singleton lodges.
1.-The new constitutions went into effect
without confusion or serious embarrass-
ment the 1st of August last. I think We
have a most excellent code of law. The
work of the committee which prepared the
code was most admirably done, and the
Grand Lodge is to be Congratulated upon
the harmonious manner with which the new
law was established and put into effect
1.-The work of the, Masonic Relief Associ-
alton Is increasing, and becoming of great
er Importance to the fraternity r need not
assure the brethren thatits work has been
of great benefit to Them 5scg,y
Il note with satisfaction the continued
prosperity of the Masonic Mutual Relief
Association of this jurisdiction. The work
of this association Is purely a labor of love
on the part of it's officers and directors,
save one. 1t has paid out almost a million
dollars to the widows and orphans of de-
ceased brethren.
Masonic Temple Fund.
The net result of the Masonic fair Of
last year has been announced as $56,946.SS.
THE affairs of the association are in
most satisfactory condition. The site Of
the proposed building has been paid for,
and there is besides good balance to the
credit of the building fund.
1.-The returns fro m the several lodges
show that all have been active during the
year. The membership reported one year
go was GIL. There has been net gain
of 1853, and ON the Both of September last
1904 affiliated brethren were enrolled upon
the rosters of the lodges. The net gain
has not been so great as in some years
past, but this is accounted for in part by
the fact that the losses from death and
other causes have been greater in the year
IL. olQ NJ