The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-16

we We're in accord and sympathy in all
such patriotic enterIt ises. permission
was granted.
| Il am in receipt of communications
| from the Worlds Fair Fraternal Build
| ing Association, setting forth plans for
| me building of q handsome structure
at the exposition grounds at St Louis.
| IN which all the fraternal orders in the
| united States will have their headqsar-
! ters, and asking for the endorsement at
| ieast OF their scheme. The eommunica-
| ton bears the signature Of the president
| OF tho association. who is Past Grand
| Master Gibbons. of Missouri. His letter
ana the plans accompanying this ronnrf
VIII be presented for your consideration.
| l nave received several official invita-
| tons fl ON other Grand Jurisdictions to
| be present at social ana flaternal func-
| lons, to all of which cOurtesies, replies
of regret were returned.
FRATERNAL DEAD.
During the year just past, we and
| some OF our Sister Jurisdictions have
| been called on to mourn the loss of some
| Of our brightest brothers. To those who
| have suffered we extend fraternal SYM
! pathy. Although the icy hand of death
| has touched their hearts and STONED
| lis vibrations in this life for ever. yet
they have only gone a little way over
| the hill to await our coming.
SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS
ION Nav, 10th The Grand Lodge was
convened in Waynesville for the pur-
| pose of laying the corner stone Of the
| court house. / was unable to attend
| but the duties of the office were grace
! fully Tiled hy Brother COwles, whom
/ deputized to act as Grand Master He
| reported large attendance and pleasant
| occasion.
ION May 26th at the request of Presi-
dent McIyer. of the State Normal and
Industrial College l held a special com
munication with the Grand Lodge at
| Greensboro for the purpose of laying the
| cornerstone of the new students build
| ing. AS lovers of the principal arts and
sciences, it afforded the Masons of the
| State much pleasure to be identified in
| such a manner with this grand institu-
| ton which has accomplished so much
| Ter the advancement Of Womanhood and
the upbuildng of our State.
''On the 2lth of June the Grand Lodge
was called to meet at the Oxford Orphan
| Asylum in special communication to
transact business, and to give the little
ones who are there under our protec-
ton. call to help US enjoy the grand
| feast day of Masonry. As usual the
| Masons and the hosptable people of
Granville county made it day long to
| be remembered. After the transaction
Of important business. and being charm
ingly entertained by the prince of
| speakers Hon. NJ W. Ransom, fellow
| craft Of Johnson Caswell Lodge it was
the unanimous opinion that it was a day
spent.
Upon the invitation of the chairman
Of the Board of County Commissioners
of Wilkes county, through the lodge
special communication of the Grand
Lodge was held in the city of Wilkes
boro to lay the corner stone of the new
court house. Grand Senior Warden Win
ston, who acted as Grand Master, reports
a most glorious occasion.
ION August 18th special communca-
| ton of the Grand Lodge was held in the
city of Raleigh for the purpose of paying
the last sad rites to our late Grand
| Chaplain, A. A. Marshall. ! regretted
very much mr. inability to be present.
Past Grand Master Nichols. at my re-
| quest, acted as Grand Master
THE ORPHAN ASYLUM.
"An institution which touches a warm
| spot in every true heart has been ably
| managed by the efficient superintendent
| under the directions of the Board of Di-
| rectors. Their report covers the ground
| fully. 1t is thorough and comprehen-
sive. and sufficient number of copies
are ready for distribution which will
| explain the management for the year
past better than l can.
MASONIC TEMPLE
1.-The growth of the Grand Lodge calls
| for larger and more comfortable accom-
| modations, and with this end in view,
Past Grand Master Cox at the last an
lrual communication introduced resoIu-
| ton which was adopted appointing
| committee to select a site, and present
plans for erecting a Masonic Temple. Our
| committee has labored earnestly and
| faithfully, and at this communication
will have present for your consdera-
tion a full and complete report of their
work l know of no single act that will
create more enthusiasm, or add more
| to the material prosperity of Masonry
| than to build a home, a handsome struc-
| ture, one that will be an ornament to
| the city and an enduring monument to
| the order. I ask of you a careful con
| sideration of the committees report and
| trust that you will take no step back
ward not refusing to lend them all the
aid in your power to the completion of
| this great enterprise. The Temple must
| be a fact
RECOMMENDATIONS.
las the fiscal Masonic year ends on
! the 31St of October, at which time the
| subordinate lodges returns are made, in
| Guiding list of officers. and since
good many lodges hold their election for
officers in December, thus making very
often one set of officers report i'll the
proceedings when in fact often an en-
| tirely different set are in office thereby
causing confusion. ! respectfully recon-
mend that all subordinate lodges hold
their election during their meeting in
| June, and that they change their by
| laws to conform thereto.
| FINALLY.
Brethren 1 have endeavored to place
| before you in as concise n manner as