Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-20
GRAND LODGE MEETING
OFFICERS OF F. A. A. M. SUBMIT
THEIR ANNUAL REPORTS
Election to Occur St. Johns Day-Trib-
ute to Fraternal Dead--Tem-
pie Project.

The Grand Lodge, F. A A NJ, held its
annual meeting for the reception of the re-
ports of grand officers at Masonic Temple
last evening. The principal business of the
session was the report of the grand mas
ter. The election of Grand Lodge officers
will occur on Saint Johns day, Decem-
Der q.
Grand Master Walter A. Brown SUBJ
mitted his annual report, in which. he thor
oughly reviewed the work of the term. He
first paid tribute to the fraternal dead OF
the year, and then spoke of the Masonic
Temple project.
The New Masonic Temple.
OF the new Masonic Temple the Grand
Master said:
80 often have I mentioned this subject
during the year at the various visitations,
as well as upon other occasions, and urged
upon the craft the necessity Of renewed
efforts on their part in order to procure the
fulfillment of a desire dear to our hearts,
that it almost seems that can add nothing
further to what has already been said on
the subject Of building a new Masonic
Temple.
But so anxious are we that this Struc-
ture shall in every way meet the needs of
our fraternity and favorably compare with
the splendid architecture of the many pub
lie and private edifces of our city, and be
isdiction, but of our country, that l again
call the matter to your attention and be-
seech you to render every service in your
power to promote this splendid undertake
ing.
Last May I was invited and cheerfully
accepted an invitation to open the Masonic
festival. 1t was indeed pleasure to me to
aid in this enterprise and give it the sup
port of the Grand Lodge. 1 am glad to say
that the festival was decided success both
from artistic and financial standpoint,
the sum realized being about $4,000. This
amount, with that hand and due from
subscriptions amounts to about sos 900;
making, with the $4,000 which was paid
for the site, the magnificent total of $780,
600 far raised. Any familiar with
the difficulties which are naturally to be
encountered and the magnitude of the I'M
dertaking, cannot fail to be impressed with
the vast amount of work necessary in order
to produce such satisfactory results in so
short IA period The officers and members
of the New Masonic Temple Association are
to be congratulated their unselfish and
untiring efforts in their splendid service to
the fraternity. With men of indomitable
courage and energy in charge l feel that
the day is not far distant when we can all
rejoice in the possession of home worthy
of our institution.
1T is the intention to have another fair
next April in furtherance of the movement,
and 1t is sincerely to be hoped that the
proceeds will be equally as large, or even
greater, than the one of a few years ago.
II is expected 10 lay the corner stone OF the
new edifce by the list of May next, and to
SO finance the building as to be able to
continue on and erect the whole structure
without further delay. So mote it be-
Grand Visitation.
OF his grand vistations the Grand Master
said:
Pursuant to the requirements of our
constitution the usual grand vsitatons
were made to the several lodges during the
year. 1 considered it advisable to follow
the system started two years ago of having
portion of the visitations in the spring
and the remainder in the fall; the first
series starting March 20 and closing May
%; the later series commencing October
and ending November %; an average of
two vistationS each week during these
periods. My observation lead me to the
opinion that this method is far preferable
to the old system of having all the vista
lions in the fall.
"A careful examination of the reports
submitted by the grand secretary and grand
treasurer of the work and condition of the
lodges, supplemented by personal visits and
close observation of the work during the
year, leads me to the conclusion that a
large amount of earnest, careful and con-
scientious labor has been expended in order
to produce such splendid results.
"A study of the summary of the years
work presents some interesting figures.
The gross gain in membership has been
500; the losses, which are much larger than
usual, being 1913; the net gain is 273; the
total number of master Masons on the rolls
September 80, 1906, being 1880. AS a whole
the years work has been entirely salts
factory, and 1 have taken occasion at most
of the visitations to express my approval,
bestow praise and extend congratulations
where, in my Judgment, the showing mer-
tied it.
"A summary of the financial condition of
the lodges shows that the total amount to
he accounted for jC Stlt 1871 91 of which
amount there was a balance on hand Sep
TENDER 3d. 1906, of 500, 1904; the amount
expended for relief being $7,557.16 an in
crease over last year of s., 666S2 The
total assets of the lodges, as shown by
their reports, amounts to the splendid sum
of $3.50, 1906 an increase of 1912. 63. At
nearly all the vistations fine program of
entertainment was furnished of a highly
instructive and pleasing nature. This fea-
ture has been of delightful character and
has added greatly to the interest of the oc
casion. The large attendance at all these
communications has been most gratifying,
and shows the deep interest the members
take in the welfare Of the lodges.
Monument to Masonic Dead.
ION May %. 1858, this Grand Lodge ac-
quired burial lot in Congressional ceme-
terry, 45x36 feet, containing sixty sites and
a four-foot walk. The first interment was
made June TO- 1853 the last one on June
16, 1900, and forty-eight sites are now oc-
cuped. The lot is inclosed with one iron
fence and there are seven graves marked
with hcadstones. At the communication
of the Grand Lodge in September, 1906,
there was authorized the erection of an ap-
propriate symbolic monument upon the lot
and also markers for the unmarked
graves. committee was appointed, the
monument has been erected and the mark
ers' will soon be in place. The report of
the committee will give further details. 1t