The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-12
GRAND LODGE IN
ANNUAL SESSION
Six Past Grand Masters and 600
Masons Of Lesser Degree
Answer Roll.
HOLD ELECTION TOMORROW
Delegates Will Choose Successor
to DR.. Darlington From
Large Field.

Six past grand masters and between
500 and 600 Masons of lesser rank were
in their seats in the Masonic Temple
at 1850 o'clock last night when Grand
Master W. l.. Andrews. of Roanoke.
called the most worshipful grand lodge
of Virginia TO order for the one hun
dred and thirty-ffth grand annual
communication. In point of attend
ance. the opening night set a new re-
cord in Virginia Masonry.
The grand masters address. as at
all opening sessions of the grand lodge.
was the feature of the evening. He
covered in detail the work of his ad-
ministration and the progress of the
order during the past twelve months.
The address included Il number of
recommendation withheld from publi-
cation matters interesting to the
members of the order alone.
Reports followed from the grand sec
rotary, pro tenn. and from the grand
treasurer. The membership of the
order in Virginia, according to these
reports has in the past year enjoyed
4 substantial increase The financial
condition of the grand lodge was shown
to be excellent. with indications point
ing to "a similar prosperity in Masonic
circles everywhere in the state.
Past GRIND Masters Here.
The following past grand masters
were present last night to witness the
opening of the convention: II. O.
Kerns, of Suthcrlin: Thomas ~ Davis.
of Lynchburg: Judge X. T. w Duke
Of Charlottesville; Captain Ed n. Eu-
bank. Of Newport News: George w.
Wright, of Marion, and y. r. Courtney.
of Richmond.
The officers of the Grand Lodge were
present, with only one or two absen-
tees. Those who presided over the
opening session were w. l.. Andrews
grand master; Philip X. Bauman dep
nty grand master: james Il. Wood
grand senior warden; j. Aston Cabcll
grand junior warden; Fred Peasants
grand treasurer; Charles A. Nesbitt
grand secretary, pro tenn; II. *. Field
grand senior deacon: T.. L. Cunningham
grand Junior deacon; NJ. Il. Muire.
grand chaplain, pro tenn: John r.
Charlton. grand marshal, pro tenn: ]
A Pamplin, grand pursuivant: O. j.
Adams, grand tiler, and \. w. Baker
grand steward.
Grand Chaplain Rev. II. e. Lee. y.
ID, of Charlottesville. was delayed in
reaching the city and will arrive to-
day.
business Meeting Tonight.
Inc meeting lo-ElSnt VIII ma the
delegates at work on the business
problems which confront the Grand
Lodge At its annual sessions. Many
committees were appointed last night
by Grand Master Andrews to handle
the special divisions of business. and
these will present their reports TO
night to the convention.
At 2:30 o'clock this afternoon Il cho-
rus composed of children from the Ma :
sonic Home, in Henrico County. will
give a song entertainment in honor
of the visiting delegations. The home
has now more than seventy inmates.
The overshadowing event of to-mor-
rows session will be the election of
Officers for the year. The delegates
will choose n grand secretary TO sue
coed the late Dr. George w CARING
ton. y half-doZcn full hedgcd candi-
dates aspire TO the position. which pays
$4,000 a year. four or five Richmond
men in the number
The resignation of Grand Master An
drews. which is expected will result
in the advancement of all the present
grand officers TO the Office next higher
in rank, and will leave vacant the Of
fee of grand junior deacon. The oni-
GERS below the rank OF grand junior
deacon are appointive.