The Washington herald., 1913-12-21
Masonic Affairs.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE TWO.

February Is, 1913; John Isaac Painter,
master Dawson Lodge, No. Is, December
5, 1913; Frank Ivy Wood, senior warden
Dawson Lodge. No. 16. September Is,
1913; BENJAMIN F. Bittinger, past master
Dawson Lodge, No. 16, by afiliation,
September Is, 1919; Bennett Armstrong
Allen. past master Harmony Lodge, No
II, April Il, 1913; Thomas Robinson, past
master Acacia Lodge, No. Is, August 5,
1913; John Francis Collins, past master
Hope Lodge. No. 20, April II, 1913; Clar-
ence Lewis, past master Hope Lodge,
No. %, October q, 1913; Washington 2.
NaIley, past master Stansbury Lodge
No. "A. February 2s, 1913.
IT recommend the setting aside Of
pages In this report of the Grand Lodge
to the memory OF our distinguished and
honored past grand officers"
Grand Visitatfons.
The object of the annual grand vista
tion, as required by our Grand Lodge
constitution, is primarily one OF business
it's purpose being to ascertain whether or
not the affairs Of the various lodges are
being conducted in accordance with the
usages and customs Of the craft and the
requirements of the Grand Lodge To
ascertain this information requires an in
spection Of the books of the secretary
and treasurer Of the lodge, which Is done
by the grand secretary and the grand
treasurer.
1T has been apparent to me for long
time that the custom OF making these
visitatScns as practiced for the past ten
years. 1 e., scheduling half Of them In
the spring and half in the fall, has prac-
ticaIly eliminated the business effect OF
the visitations, particularly to the lodges
visited in the spring, when but small
portion of the years work could De pre-
Hoyr1 n
parent defect in mind, and believing that
the proper and only logical time to ex-
anime the books and ascertain the con-
dition OF the lodge and its work is after
its books have been closed, therefore l
decided to change the prevailing custom
and schedule all the visitations in the
fall, after the close of the Masonic year
Owing to the increased number OF
lodges in our Jurisdiction, it seemed i'm
practicable and practically impossible to
crowd all the visitations into the period
between the close Of the Masonic year
and the beginning of the December cleo
tions Of the subordinate lodges, provid-
ing a full evening should be devoted to
each lodge. To surmount this difficulty l
scheduled two visitations to be made to
each two lodges which meet in the same
building on the same evening. Before
decided fully to double up the visitations
in this manner, I outlined the plan at
meeting of the masters OF the various
lodges, and II at once met their approval,
and I am pleased to say elected their
cheerful cooperation in carrying the
plan to a successful conclusion.
II realized at the outset how difhcult
it is to radically change any well estab-
lshed custom, even though the one in
vogue has its recognized defects, and I
hardly expected that the new system
would meet the full approval OF all 1t
is gratifying to state, however, that many
expressions of approval and commenda-
ton of the change have been presented,
and no criticisms have reached me. The
yisitations have all been exceptionally
well attended, and the interest manifest
ed in the ceremonies and in the reports
presented have been particularly marked
Another object of the annual vista
ton, second only to the business purpose,
is the social and fraternal feature that
attaches to II. This has been exhibited
to a marked degree in the large number
of brethren in attendance at all the Wis
itations and the evidence Of good feehng
and good-feIlowship ever prevalent iney
have taken on the aspect OF an annual
reunion of the brethren to hear the rec
ord Of the full years work and to re,
joice in the prosperity Of the loose anu
the success achieved.
'iOn nearly every occasion, one or the
other of the lodges visited, or by joint
action of the two lodges, an interesting
and instructive program was presented
for the entertainment Of the brethren
present and was greatly enjoyed oy all.
1.-The uniform courtesy accorded the Of
5cers of the Grand Lodge on all occasions
is indicative of the loyalty Of the con-
stituent lodges, and augurs well for the
continued success of Masonry In this
jurisdiction.
Masonic Clubs.
THE popularity of the Masonic Club
is increasing. At the present time there
are four such organizations in the Jurs-
diction. The Trowel Club, which Is COM
posed of Masons employed in the uniteo
States Geological Survey, and the Feho"
ship Club, whose members are employeo
in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
have been referred to in previous Grand
Lodge proceedings. Two others nave
been organized during the year. Tne
Trestleboard Club, whose members are
employed in the Government Printing o. |
fee, and the Compass Club, but recently
formed, by Masons employed In the CITY |
Postoffice.
II have had the pleasure to attend |
meetings of all of these clubs, and have |
learned of the motives that prompted their |
organization, and do not hesitate to ex-
press my entire approval Of their pur-
poses and OF the good work they have
done and are doing in the interest OF
Masonry.
''The objects of these organizations are
perhaps somewhat misunderstood. They
are not clubs in the ordinary acceptaton
of that term. That is, they are not
formed for the sole purpose Of individual
pleasure and amusement While they do
aim to cultivate mutual social enjoyment,
they also, by their own methods, en-
deavor to develop a closer acquaintance
and friendship with those with whom
they come in contact in their daily labors,
for their mutual benefit By well or
Kanized committees they are able to look
after the sick and to administer relief and
comfort to those in need. By this sys-
tenn, they are afforded opportunities to
cultivate closer fraternal relations than
they otherwise might, and are thus en-
abled to exhibit to each other the fullest
measure Of Masonic fellowship.
Masonic and Eastern Star Home.
Late in the year 1912, my predecessor,
Grand Master Ben w. Murch, issued
circular letter to all the brethren Of the
craft in the District of Columbia out
lining fully and effectually the inadequate
Star Home, which were confined to the
and called attention to the need for larger
quarters necessary to meet the de-
mands for the accommodation of the
many INDECENT brethren and members Of
their families who are knocking at our
doors for assistance, and who are entitled
to admission there
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