Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-16

Loockerman. August g. 1905. Washington.
d. c.: Stephen Davis Thatcher, September
IL, 1905. Kansas City. Mo-; John Richard
Carey. September :. 1905. Duluth, Mimi.
Total Membership.
The present total membership OF the sew
eral subordinate Scottish Rite bodies is as
follows: Lodges of perfection. 23.473;
chapters of Rose Croix, 20.467; councils OF
Kadosh. 19,2oS: particular and grand con-
sistories. 19.499 There are 100 lodges of
perfection. 76 chapters of Rose Croix. 50
councils of kadosh, 80 particular consis-
tories and three grand cons.stories.
X The sovereign grand commander said OF
the Taylor library: ''Dr. L. M. Taylor. 81
Hon. of Washington, died September q.
1904, and by his last will bequeathed to the
Supreme Council his large and valuable
collection OF rare books. DIR. Taylor had
spent many years in collecting this library
and 1t Is probably as complete collection
of it's kind as can be found anywhere Ii
contains every book obtainable by him on
the literature of spfritualism. theosophy
psychology, necromancy. mythology, as
tronomy. ethnology. religions, secret So
cieties of all ages and countries. and litera-
ture bearing quaint and out-of-the-way
subjects. This Is the largest and most
valuable donation of books ever made to ns
at one time since Grand. Commander Pike
donated his library. In accordance with
the provisions of Brother Taylor's will Il
have had this collection placed by itself in
alceves in the library and marked The
Taylor collection. This handsome dona-
ton is much appreciated. and the generos-
Rity of our brother is commendable and
worthy of imitation
Designations of Deputies.
The grand commander announced the fol-
lowing designations of deputies and repre-
sentatives: For Iowa, George Fairburn,
deputy; for Mexico, DIR. William H. Kelar.
representative; for Sweden, ELMER Back
strom. representative.
After reviewing the reports of other su-
preme councils and giving an account or
his various official visitations, Grand Com
Rico: cit Is highly gratifying to me to De
able to report that the question OF The Ma
sonic jurisdiction over the Island OF Porto
Rico, which was unsettled at our last ses-
sion, and which threatened at one time TO
disturb our fraternal relations with the Su-
preme Council of Colon, has been am.cably
and tremendously adjusted. The result 80
happily reached has served to render
stronger and more enduring, If that were
possible. the fraternal ties existing between
the two councils. 1. is gratifying to note
that the action of the Supreme Council OF
Colon throughout this controversy was
chara cterized by dignity and proper ira
ternal spirit. 1t is always difficult for
country to part with any portion OF It's pos
sessions or territory. Like individuals,
when the demand Is made by some other
person VINO Is stranger " tiCili hoi ="
surrender of a portion of their heritage or
acquisitions, every country VIII resist sucn
demand, and only by means OF well-directed
diplomacy can solution be reached Will
out bloodshed. Neither this Supreme Coun-
ell nor that of Colon was In any degree
whatever responsible for the conditions
brought about by the cess!on OF Po.t TO 0ico
to the United States. But that cesson hay.
ing been effectually made, this council felt
that II was constrained to m Ike the insist
ence 1t did respecting the status or Nj tsohs
of the Scottish Rite therein We beheved
that by the fundamental law OF our rue
the ACQUISITION of the island by the United
States itself terminated the authority OF
the Supreme Council Of Colon as thoroughly
and as completely in all Masonic as In po-
litical matters. The contention OF TINS coun
Gil was therefore, not made voluntarily, Dut
from a strong sense of duty, and that the
fundamental principle Of the rite should be
maintained.
Personal Observations.
In conclusion the sovereign grand COM
mander made the following personal Cd
servations: ION March 4. 1908, after twenty
years of continuous service in that BODY,
retired from the Congress of the United
States. l took this action in pursuance of
the announcement I made to you at the last
session of the council that / might. as
then declared. devote my entire time ana
energies to the Scottish Rite. This ACTON
involved a radical change in a pursuit
had closely followed for the third OF life
time. 1 have no cause to regret. and 90 not
regret, making the change mentioned, put
am more and more confirmed each day OF
the propriety and wisdom Of the action
taken. The only regret have in the whole
matter Is that I am not gifted with larger
capacity properly to discnafge tne duties
cast upon me, and that | am not more
worthy of the exalted station to which by
your partially I was called"
Upon the completion of the allocution the
cy..- Tp,,, af1 fnnI l.
GERS and active members called in q body
at the White House and paid their respects
to President Roosevelt
White House Reception.
After the reception at the White House
the Supreme Council and members of the
rite were served with luncheon at the
House of the Temple. The council reas-
sembled at 2 o'clock, and continued in ses-
sion until o'clock.
The program for the rest Of the week is
as follows:
Tuesday, October 1T-Council meets at 10
O'Clock: luncheon at 1 o'clock; reconvenes
at o'clock, and adjourns at o'clock In
honor of the banquet given by the Royal
Order of Scotland at the New Willard at
o'clock.
Wednesday October 1s-Council meets at
10 o'clock; luncheon from to 9; council re-
convenes at and adjourns at $50 to at
tend the ceremony of comforting the four
teenth degree by Mithras Lodge of Perfec-
ton at the Scottish Rite Temple, 10th and
G streets.
Thursday October 19-Council convenes
at 10 o. clock; luncheon, l to 2; council re-
convenes at and adjourns at $50. At Z
o'clock the Supreme Council confers upon
candidates previously elected to the hon
orary thrty-third degree.
Friday. October 20-Council convenes at
10 o'clock: luncheon from / to 2 In the
afternoon the usual visit to the grave of
Albert Pike former grand commander and
a nestor in Free Masonry, will be paid.
Saturday, October 21-Council holds a
morning session and adjourns without day.
Tonight the Royal Order of Scotland will
confer the degrees of that order upon a
number of candidates at the House OF the
Temple.