eventful one. Born in 1826 at Montgomery, Ala., at fourteen years of age he went to Cuba, where he remained several years, when he came to Philadelphia. From here he went to New York, and became President of the American Bank Note Co. He received the "Order of the Rose" from Dom Pedro, Emperor of Brazil, and was the recipient of a costly ring from the Czar of Russia. At one time he was in the Texas navy, and afterwards suffered shipwreck on the coast of Norway. He had traveled all over the world. Our brother was pre-eminently a self-made man, and in the Masonic Fraternity occupied a high position. While a resident of Philadelphia he was made a Mason in Montgomery Lodge, No. 19, and was elected and served as W.M. On removing to New York he resigned, and took an active part with the Fraternity of that city, becoming a member of Holland Lodge. He was a P. H. Priest of Jerusalem R.A. Chapter, No. 8, New York, a Past Commander of Morton Commandery, Deputy Grand Commander of New York, and the Representative of the Grand Lodge of England near the Grand Lodge of New York. His funeral took place from the Masonic Temple, where the services were held. Among the large concourse of brethren present were representatives of the Grand Commandery and Holland Lodge, besides many well-known brethren of Philadelphia and other cities. His remains were followed to their last resting place, in Woodlawn Cemetery, by a large concourse of his friends and Masonic brethren, where they were deposited with Masonic ceremonies.-Keystone. WE are indebted to Em. Sir Charles E. Pierce for an invitation to attend a Conclave of St. Omer Commandery, Boston, Mass., in accordance with the following programme. We remark, en passant, that the programme is a gem of the "Art, preservative of Art," and is deserving of great praise for its chaste appearance. Thanks, Sir Pierce, accept our regrets that we cannot be present with you and enjoy the hospitality of St. Omer: SOUTH BOSTON, March 10, 1887. GENERAL ORDERS NO. 7. I. A Stated Conclave of St. Omer Commandery will be opened in its Asylum, Masonic Hall, corner of Broadway and E. street, on Monday evening, March 21, promptly at 6.30 o'clock, for the dispatch of such business as shall regularly come before it; alse to receive an official visit, for inspection, from Rt. Em. Sir Edward P. Chapin, Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templars of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, accompanied by his suite. and to confer the Order of the Red Cross upon any Companion who is entitled to receive it. II. Reception Committee-M. Em. Sir Benjamin Dean and Em. Sirs Edward H. Brainard, Francis C. Hersey, William H. H. Soule, George W. Kingman, Jerome Smith and Charles J. Noyes are invited to act as Aids to the Eminent commander in the reception of the distinguishod Fraters ex pected, and are requested to report to him, if convenient, before the opening of the Conclave. III. Aspirants.-The following named Companions, together with those elected at this Conclave, will be entitled to receive the Order :-Comp. Ly. man Seley Stevens, Comp. William Thomas Perkins. IV. Ballot.—l'he committees to whom they were referred will present their reports, and a ballot will be ordered upon the petitions for the Orders, as published on the enclosed supplement, received from Companions Thomas Francis Christian, John Thomas Osborn, John Fred Holt, David Oseola Felt and Otis Delevan Laforest. V. Testimonial.—The Council, composing a committee appointed at the January Conclave to prepare an appropriate testimonial to be presented to Oriental Commandery, No. 12, at Cleveland, Ohio, expressed thanks for services rendered, will submit their report, and the testimonial prepared will be submitted for approval. VI. BANQUET.-The Eminent Commander confidently expects that every Sir Knight of St. Omer Commandery who can attend will report promptly, in full Templar uniform, white gloves, at the hour designated, so that the dis tinguished official who is to honor us with his presence may be received with full ranks, and the ceremonies of the evening be conducted in a manner calculated to win his approbation and approval. By order of WILLIAM MORRIS, Recorder. CHARLES E. PIERCE, Commander. BOSTON COMMANDERY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR CELEBRATES ITS EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY.-The Sir Knights of Boston Commandery Knights Templar, Eminent Sir Eugene H. Richards, Commander, were present in full force, arrayed in full Templar uniform, March 11, at Odd Fellows' Hall, Boston, when they celebrated the eighty-fifth anniversary of the Commandery, and gave a hearty and fraternal reception to Right Eminent Sir Edward P. Cha pin, Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, their ladies, and a large number of distinguished Sir Knights and their ladies, as guests of the occasion. At about eight o'clock Boston Commandery, with 100 Sir Knights in line, headed by Em. Sir Eugene H. Richards, Comman er; Sir James M. Gleason, Generalissimo, and Sir Eugene A. Holton, Captain General, marched into the hall, and, forming an avenue, saluted Right Em. Sir E. P. Chapin, the Grand Commander, and suite. as they entered and passed through the lines to the platform, over which hung the three handsome banners of Boston Com mandery. The lines having been dismissed, and the Sir Knights seated, Em. Com mander Richards made an address of welcome, in which he said: It has been customary to celebrate the anniversary of this Commandery by a gathering of ladies and Sir Knights, in passing an evening in pleasant social intercourse, and renewing old and forming new friendships. In like manner we meet to-night to celebrate the 85th anniversary, and in the name of Boston Commandery I tender you a courteous and cordial welcome. To the Grand Officers I tender officially an assurance of the loyalty of the Commandery to the principles of the Order that has always characterized it, and to them personally I express our pleasure at their presence this evening. To the officers of our sister Commanderies we renew ur pledge that in the future as in the past we will join hands with them in all plans for the advancement of the Order. To the ladies, whose bright smiles add so much to the pleasure of this occasion, we tender a hundred welcomes. The early records of Knight Templarism in America are somewhat imperfect, but it has been established beyond dispute that the meeting of ten Knights Templar in Boston, March 12, 1802, and their organization as a Council of Knights of the Red Cross was the formation of the first body of Knights Templar in America. The records are complete from this time to the present, and so valuable are they deemed that they have been duplicated, and the original and duplicate placed in separate and secure places to avoid all possibility of the loss or destruction of both. From this humble gathering in 1802, the Order had grown until to-day 70,000 Knights combined into 765 Subordinate and 33 Grand Commanderies acknowledge allegiance to the Grand Encampment of the United States. To this Boston Commandery has contributed its part, and since 1802 has held 1092 meetings and conferred Knighthood upon 1545 Sir Knights. The present membership is 614, while 32 Commanders have occupied the chair, of whom 13 are now living, the oldest being Eminent Sir John K. Hall, who is also the oldest member of the Commandery. The speaker then referred to the faithfulness of the Commandery to the Order in the days that threatened its dissolution, and in closing urged the members to maintain the same standard in the future. Grand Commander Chapin gracefully responded to the welcome extended him and his suite, and also made a pleasant and witty response for the ladies. This ceremony over, the company listened to a fine musical entertainment. The dancing opened with the Knights Templars' march, in which none but Sir Knights in uniform with ladies participated, and was then kept up until 2 o'clock. Upwards of two hundred couples enjoyed the evening's festivities.. BROTHER SAMUEL WILSON, a venerable and prominent Craftsman, died at his home in Vergennes, Vt., Jan. 10th, at the age of ninety-six years. He had held many important official positions in Masonic Bodies, having been Grand Junior Warden and Grand Lecturer in the Grand Lodge of Vermont, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, and Grand Lecturer to the Grand Council of the Cryptic Rite. He was made a Mason in 1815, and had become an active, zealous Craftsman before the storm of anti-Masonry burst upon the land. He remained faithful at that time when so many fell away, and was spared to see the institution of Freemasonry revived in more than its former glory. His funeral was attended by many prominent brethren, Grand Master Perkins officiating at the burial service. Quebec. GRAND LODGE OF QUEBEC.-The 17th Annual Communication of Grand Lodge of Quebec, A. F. & A. M., was held at Montreal 26th January, 1887. There were present M. W. Bro. J. Fred. Walker, G.M.; R. W. Bro. A. F. Simpson, D.G.M., R.W. Bro. H. Russell, M. D., D.D.G.M, Quebec and Three Rivers District; R. W. Bro. D. Anderson, D.D.G.M., Montreal Dis trict; R. W. Bro. M. B. Schofield, D.D.G.M., St. Francis District; R.W. Bro. L. G. Burnell, D. D.G. M., Bedford District; Bros. E. T. D. Chambers, G S. W.; A. E. Mills, G.J. W.; I. H. Stearns, G.T.; J. H. Isaacson, G.S.; G. W. Lovejoy, G. R.; S. Lebourveau, D. of C.; A. M. Stone, G.O.; Geo. Wait, G.S.D.; H. J. Fraser, G.J.D.; A. N. Thompson, G.S.; J. W. Hannah, G.S.; E. J. Raymond, G.S.; H. J. Couper, G.S.; John Beckingham, G.P.; Isaac Richardson, Tyler; and M. W. Bros. Tait and Tyler, P.G.M.'s. Grand Lodge was opened in ample form with prayer. After reading the minutes of last year's communication, R. W. A. J. Hall, D.G.M. of Vermont, was announced as in waiting. He was then introduced and warmly welcomed by the G. M. and G.L., a welcome for which he returned thanks in graceful terms. He said he was always at home in the Province of Quebec and in this Grand Lodge. He referred to the earnest struggle Quebec Masons were making for their inherent rights and privileges, and referred with much feeling to P.M. J. H. Graham, the able enunciator of these principles, and to the other champions of the cause, many of whom, being present, he mentioned by name. He said that no one would watch the proceedings of Grand Lodge of Quebec with more interest than the Masons of Vermont and their G.M., Marsh O. Perkins, who he regretted was not present to-day. He was happy that the unpleasantness once existing between Quebec and Canada has long been settled in a true Masonic spirit. England, he said, must yield, for truth and justice and right are banners which cannot be over come. The following is a condensation of the Grand Master's address: After speaking of the jubilee year of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty, which awakens responsive feelings in every true brother, he referred to the opening of King Solomon's Lodge, a new Lodge in Aylmer, P. Q., whose officers he installed 27th February last. He had visited more than two-thirds of the Lodges in this Province, and had taken part in many social gatherings of the brethren, with great pleasure to himself and he hoped advantage to the Craft. He visited the Grand Lodge of Vermont at its communication, 9th June last, along with M. W. Bro. Tyler, and on 27th Sept. was present at the Centennial celebration of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, accompanied by R. W. Bros Chambers, Stearns and Isaacson. At both visits the hospitalities of the brethren were of a never-to-be-forgotten character. In this connection the Grand Master was pleased to enjoin upon Masters and Wardens of Lodges the duty of visiting other Lodges as a means of obtaining and imparting much useful knowledge. He recommended that this Grand Lodge bestow the honorary rank of P. G.S.W. on R. W. Bro. Frank Baxter, of Vermont, a warm and disinterested member of our Grand Lodge. The address refers to the case of infringement of the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Canada by one of our, Lodges, and to the prompt steps taken by our Grand Officers to repudiate the improper action. DECISIONS.-I. There is no regulation of Grand Lodge refusing to allow Subordinate Lodges to have their rooms occupied by non-Masonic bodies, though it is undesirable that they should do so. 2. If the only defect in a candidate is the loss of a portion of his foot he is not disqualified, provided he is capable of learning the art and of being made a brother. 3. Article 251, p. 59, of the Constitution does not prohibit a Lodge fron assisting a non-affiliated Mason from its funds, if the majority of its members desire to do so. 4. Placing the ballot-box on the volume of the Sacred Law during the deposit by the members of their ballot is legal. ENGLAND.-Heretofore a very large proportion of our proceedings has necessarily been occupied with the English question :—-this will now cease. The following correspondence will need no comment: THE GRAND LODGE OF QUEBEC. GRAND SECRETARY'S OFFICE, COLONEL SHADWELL H. CLARKE, Grand Secretary United Grand Lodge of England, A. F. & A. M. : R.W. SIR AND BRO.- As instructed by M. W. Bro. J. Fred. Walker, Grand Master of this Grand Lodge, I now forward for the information of your Grand Lodge a copy of a resolution adopted by the Grand Lodge of Quebec at its last annual communication held in this city on 27th and 28th Jau., 1886. I am, R. W. Sir and Bro., yours fraternally, J. H. ISAACSON, G.S. of G.L. of Quebec. (This resolution appears in last year's printed proceedings of Grand Lodge.) To this the answer of Grand Lodge of England was as follows: GRAND SECRETARY'S OFFICE, (Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street,) R. W. BRO. J. H. ISAACSON, Grand Secretary Grana Lodge of Quebec : SHADWELL H. CLARKE, Colonel G.S. Grand Lodge of England. This ends the controversy between England and ourselves. The printed proceedings of this Grand Lodge show a continued and persistent attempt to solve the difficulty by peaceful means, which has failed. The addresses of my predecessors demonstrated in the clearest manner that the doctrine of exclusive territorial jurisdiction was not only held by all the American Grand Lodges and Scotland, but by England also. Their arguments have been unanswered, for they are unanswerable. |