The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-01-20

we were in accord and sympathy in all
such patriotic enterItS;es, permission
was granted.
Il am in receipt of communications
from the Worlds Fair Fraternal Build
ing Association. setting forth plans for
the building of a handsome structure
at the exposition grounds at ST. Louis,
in which all the fraternal orders in the
United States Will have their headqsar-
tiers. and asking for the endorsement at
least of their scheme. The conlnunica-
ton bears the signature of the president
of the association. who is Past Grand
Master Gibbons. of Missouri. His letter
and the plans accompanying his renor1
will be presented for your consideration.
l havc received several official invita-
lions from other Grand Jurisdictions to
be present at social apa fvaternal func-
tons. 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 stopped
its vibrations in this life for ever, yet
they have only gone a little way over
the hill to await our coming.
SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS.
con May 10th the Grand Lodge was
convened in Waynesville for the pur-
pose Of laying the cornerstone of the
court house. [ was unable to attend,
but the duties of the office were grace
fully filled by Brother Cowles, whom
I. deputized to act as Grand Master. He
reported a large attendance and pleasant
occasion.
ION May 26th at the request of Presi-
dent McIver. of the State Normal and
Industrial College, / 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 i%nstitu-
ton which has accomplished SO much
ter the advancement of womanhood and
the upbuilding of our State.
"On the 24th 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, q call to help us enjoy the grand
feast day of Masonry. AS usual the
Masons and the hospitable people of
Granville county made it a 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
tho unanimous opinio, +hot ~ woo n ao,v
spent.
Upon the invitation of the chairman
Of the Board of County Commissioners
of Wilkes county. through the lodge, a
special communication of the Grand
Lodge was held in the city of Wilkes
boro to lay the cornerstone of the new
court house. Grand Senior Warden Win
ston, who acted as Grand Master, reports
a most glorious occasion.
"On August 18th special communica-
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. I regretted
very much my inability to be present.
Past Grand Master Nichols, at my re-
quest, acted as Grand Master.
THE ORPHAN ASYLUM.
81 ~ oGNltCo ct q III
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 comDrehen-
sive, and q sufficient number Of copies
are ready for distribution, which will
explain the management for the year
past better than l can.
MASONIC TEMPLE
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
rual communication introduced a resolu-
ton which was adopted, appointing a
committee to select a site, and present
plans for erecting a Masonic Temple. Our
committee has labored earnestly and
faithfully, and at this communication
VIII have present for your considera-
ton a full and complete report of their
work. kno of no single act that will
create more enthusiasm, or add more
10 tee material prosperity of Masonry
tEan TO build a home, a handsome struc-
lure, one that will be an ornament TO
the city land an enduring monument to
the order. | ask OF. you a careful con-
sheraton OF the committees report and
trust that you will take no step back
ward not refusing to lend them all the
ala IN your power to the completion of
thls great enterprise. The Temple must
be a fact.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
AS the fiscal Masonic year ends on
TIE olSt OF October, at which time the
subordinate lodges returns are made, in
GUIDING a list of officers, and since a
5000 many lodges hold their election for
othcers in December, thus making very
o1ten one set of officers report in the
proceedings when in fact often an en-
tirely different set are in office. thereby
causing confusion, I respectfully recon-
mend that all subordinate lodges hold