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try. This is commendable; nevertheless we have felt that his value to mankind would be greatly enhanced if he could be induced to become equally interested in local welfare. We not only do not object, but heartily sympathise with a Mason who is wielding the mystical sword in all the ethical departments of life, but he must remember that the fraternity from which he gathers his inspirations would soon perish if permitted to recline in the arms of any other organizations.

Sir Gurney quotes the following from Sir Simons's review on California :

Among the decisions reported we find one to the effect that a dispensation had issued to authorize a re-ballot on two rejected candidates on the ground that the objecting Knight had acknowledged an error in casting the adverse ballot.

Under the accepted law that “the ballot is strictly and inviolably secret,” we should be glad to know by what authority the objecting Knight was allowed to state the manner of his ballot, whether cast in error or not, and whether that, and the act of the Grand Commander in granting the dispensation to re-ballot, were not an open violation of the law? Freely admitting that nothing of the kind was intended, still we fancy that, upon reflection, it will be found best that a rejection, however unfortunate, should not be reconsidered until after the lapse of the constitutional time. We confess to but moderate respect for any law that can be set aside by dispensation even when provision is made to that effect, which is not the case with the ballot.

And comments upon it as follows:

We believe the decision not only correct, but entirely in consonance with the spirit of the organization. When a member votes upon the application of a candidate under a misapprehension, it is not a ballot contemplated by the law, because it does not convey the determination of the voter. To illustrate: If Companion John Simons applies for the orders, and I am told that he is tough, unworthy, I demur, and he is declared rejected. The next day I find that I have been imposed upon, and that Companion Simons is a Brother of unquestioned good reputation full of years and well earned honors. I am grieved over the blunder and go to my Commander stating the fact of imposition-that I had cast ny ballot in entire harmony with his supposed character, but find that a falsehood has interposed an objection that could not have appeared if I had been correctly advised of his true status as a man and Mason. Again, if Companion Jones is a petitioner, and I ballot in his case under the impression that he is entirely unworthy, but subsequently find that the Jones upon whose worth I had expressed an unfavorable opinion was not the Jones, the petitioner, would Sir Simons say that the law contemplated that error or falsehood should be a bar to the correction of a wrong? This is not the intention of any Masonic law, as we understand it. The provision of the

statute to which Sir Simons refers is wise, and we would not counsel its violation. It is one of the sheet anchors to the whole fraternal fabric, but we do not apprehend that even the bare letter of the law conveys the meaning that our contemporary insists upon.

Of the address of the Grand Commander of New Hampshire, he says:

The Grand Commander delivered a good address. He announces that the ranks of his Grand Body are unbroken, and that "peace and harmony" is the rule and not the exception. He also asks many pertinent questions touching personal responsibilities; and thinks it a good plan to "look well into our hearts and turn over a new leaf," if we are not "living examples of the principles we profess." He is, moreover, of the opinion that it is advisable to "keep the history of the fraternity ever before us, that it may be a solemn inspiration to the performance of duty." Good advice and clearly stated. A practical application of experience in any of the departments of life is a necessity, if we, as Templars are to expect any credit for common sense, or if we are to merit respect for our professions. A child soon learns that fire is hot An idiot disregards the element that produces pain, and is therefore liable to repeat a foolish experiment. Our distinguished Brother refers doubtless to the earlier records of Templary. This is well enough, but the present is of much more importance than the past. As a fraternity we are constantly coming in contact with experience. Year by year the record exhibits error side by side with whatever we may have accomplished in the right direction; but like the idiot. Templars are constantly repeating foolish experiments. We are. neither cynical or supercilious. It is because we have an abiding faith in the inherent, moral powers of the fraternity, that we are jealous of its standing with the imposing agencies that God ordained for our welfare.

We believe in a perfect Masonic manhood, or a standard that does not reject elevation whenever its attainment is possible. This is the perfection of human possibilities. A Mason that is on the alert to keep himself above reproach, is the person that gives force to his professions. The first steam engine was a crude affair. The second was in advance of the first, and for years experience has demstrated the possibility of improvements, until steam now stands as the supreme mechanical force of the age. It does not follow, however, that this instrumentality has reached the acme of its usefulness; neither does it follow that the most exemplary man of the fraternity is without fault; but it does follow that we can advance, and that we are not authorized to do open and known violence to our professions, neither are we to permit it in others when flaunted in our presence if, as an organization, we are to keep upon a parallel with our pretentions. Will not the world "laugh us to scorn," and thoughtful men hail us with contempt when they

see in Commanderies, and not unfrequently at the head of our Bodies, Grand and Subordenate, Christian Knights (!) wallowing in the filth of moral decrepitude? It may be that these unpleasant facts are those to which Sir Hildreth refers when he admonishes us to "keep the history of the fraternity ever before us."

Michigan is reviewed most courteously and fraternally, and for the good things said of your Committee, we raise our hat and bow a low bow, with a hearty thank you, Sir Knight.

We are glad to welcome Sir Gurney as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, for the coming year.

Sir Loyal Levi Munn of Freeport, was elected R. E. Grand Commander.

Sir Gilbert W. Barnard of Chicago, whose address is 168 Washington street, was elected E. Grand Recorder.

INDIANA.

The Twenty-seventh Annual Conclave was held at the Asylum of Raper Commandery, in the city of Indianapolis, on Tuesday, April 26, A.D. 1881, A.O. 763.

Sir Henry G. Thayer, R. E. Grand Commander.
Sir John M. Bramwell, E. Grand Recorder.

Twenty-eight Grand Commanderies were represented, and nine Past Grand Commanders were present.

Speaking of Death's doings within his jurisdiction during the past year, the Grand Commander says:

Since our last yearly Conclave, the silent messenger of death has entered the ranks of fourteen of our subordinate Commanderies, and twenty-five Sir Knights have completed their earthly pilgriniage, teaching one and all of us the oft repeated injunction: "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of

Man cometh."

Speaking of the Grand Encampment, he says:

Notwithstanding the Western metropolis had on all previous great occasions proved herself fully equal to the task of furnishing ample accommodation for the peaceful armies that had from time to time invaded her homes and tested her hos

pitality, and although the committees had called into requisition every available means for the entertainment of their Templar guests and visiting friends, they were on this occasion overwhelmed by the mere force of numbers, the apparently countless host that came to participate in or witness the grandest pageant of the century.

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It would have been a miracle indeed if, among so vast a concourse of human beings, each demanding shelter, sustenance and social enjoyment, there had not been instances of discomfort. and cause for complaint.

But not even the most prejudiced will deny that the Sir Knights of Apollo, St. Bernard and Chicago Commanderies, after months of busy preparation, were still untiring in their efforts to entertain the Fraters and strangers within their gates, and to make the occasion one to live in memory and challenge competition throughout the land in years to come.

It would be idle for me to supplement the glowing accounts of the events of those August days which filled the newspaper press of the country, and adorned the pages of our Masonic periodicals. This assembling of men in the pride of their strength, the knightly hospitalities extended and received, the renewal of old friendships and formation of new ones, the army of Sir Knights in their elegant uniforms and insignia, waving banners that bespoke sweet peace instead of cruel war, and knightly courtesy instead of mutual strife, the inspiration of music coming from near and far, the gorgeous picture presented by the night scene on the lake beneath the silent stars, all this, and very much more, will live in memory, 'a thing of beauty and a joy forever."

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Indiana can revert to her part in the Twenty-first Conclave with honest pride and sincere pleasure. An appropriation had been made at the Conclave one year since, for contingent expenses incident to the coming event, to be used at their discretion, by a special committee delegated to arrange for headquarters for the Grand Commandery and Sir Knights of Indiana, the reception of visitors and the transaction of business.

The Grand Commander made the following recommendations to the Grand Commandery, which were referred to a special committee and by them approved, and then adopted by the body:

While great care and attention are generally exercised by the officers of Commanderies in conferring the orders, yet it is a well known fact that the opening and closing ceremonies are too frequently hurried through in what is called the "short form," and the full ceremonies are but seldom followed. I recommend to the officers of our subordinates to open their Commanderies with the impressive ceremonies in full, as laid down in the ritual and tactics adopted by this Grand Body, on all occasions when it is at all practicable.

I heartily concur in the opinion often expressed, that too much stress cannot be laid on the duty that Sir Knights are under to appear in the Asylum in appropriate uniform. To neglect this is to beget a spirit of carelessness, of which the almost inevitable result is indifference and poor work. I suggest that this Grand Body set an example by requiring all of its members to appear in Templar uniform at all of its Grand Conclaves.

He closes his address as follows:

Reverting to the history of the past year, and its effect on the thinking men of the age, the Order of Knights Templar has made grand progress in the estimation of those who create and mould public opinion. The press and the pulpit have paid honorable testimony to the influence of an Order that still upholds the Cross it once so valiantly defended.

Let us, Sir Knights, each for himself, and each for all, ever remember that "Peace hath her victories no less renowned than those of war," and that moral courage in the line of duty is ever superior to physical heroism. Let us, whether subordinates or officials, act well our respective parts, and while here, before our sacred altar, we renew our solemn vows, may we heed well the lesson taught us by the grandest of our native poets:

"So live that when thy summons comes to join

The innumerable caravan that moves

To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take

His chamber in the silent halls of death,

Thou go not like the quarry slave at night,

Scourged to his dungeon; but sustained and soothed

By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave

Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch

About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams!"

Past Grand Commander Augustus D. Lynch submitted the following, which was concurred in:

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The Committee on Templar Jurisprudence to which was referred so much of the Grand Commander's Address as relates to 'Inspection," report that the appointment of such officer originated with this Grand Body in 1872; that it has proven of great utility to this Grand Body since the adoption of this system; that the Committee regret that it was impossible to have the regular biennial inspection during the past year, and recommend that the Grand Commander appoint an Inspector, and provide that a full inspection and report be had during the present Templar year.

Sir I. B. Webber offered the following resolution, which was adopted.

Resolved, That it is the will of this Grand Body that so much of the Grand Commander's Address as refers to the Representatives of subordinate Command

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