of charter granted, to this time; and submit the same to the Grand Lodge at the next Annual Session. They also report the following bills as correct: $30 00 12.00 HOWELL HOPKINS, On motion, the report was accepted, the resolutions adopted, and the bills ordered to be paid. Rep. Ridgely, of Maryland, from the Committee on Funeral Obsequies, presented the following report. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: The committee to whom was referred the Funeral Obsequies of the Order, for the purpose of revision and amendment, have had the same under consideration, and ask leave respectfully to report the accompanying form of ceremony to be observed at funerals, of deceased brethren. All of which is respectfully submitted. JAMES L. RIDGELY, Chairman. On motion, the report was accepted. Rep. Glazier, of Delaware, moved that the same be adopted by sections, which motion prevailed. On motion, the first section, as far as the formation of the procession, was adopted as reported. Rep. Glazier, of Delaware, moved to adopt the second section, as far as the procession arriving at the grave, which motion prevailed. On motion, the third section, as far as the funeral ceremony, was adopted. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, moved to adopt the prayer, which motion prevailed. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, moved the adoption of the balance of the form, which was decided in the affirmative. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, offered the following resolution, which was adopted. Resolved, That the form of Funeral Obsequies, as reported by the committee, be adopted and approved by this Grand Lodge-and the committee on printing the Work of the Order, be directed to have it printed and bound up with each Charge Book for subordinate lodges. Rep. Pearce, of New Jersey, from the Committee on Returns, &c., presented the following report: To the R. W Grand Lodge of the United States: The Committee on Returns, &c., to whom was referred the Returns of the Grand and subordinate Lodges and Encampments under this jurisdiction, respectfully report, that the annual returns of the following named Grand and subordinate Lodges and Encampments are correct, except the deficiencies noticed. Grand Lodge of Maryland-error in styling themselves O. I. O. F. instead of I. O. of O. F., and no returns of their P. G. Masters, nor the places of meeting of their subordinate lodges. Grand Lodge of New York-error in not returning the names of their P. G. Masters, and places of meeting of their subordinate lodges, also the names of P. C. Patriarchs. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania-error in not making returns of the names of their P. G. Masters, and the places of meeting of their subordinate lodges. Grand Lodge of Delaware-error in not returning the names of all the elected officers, the names of their P. G. Masters and P. C. Patriarchs, and the places of meeting of their subordinate lodges. Grand Lodge of New Jersey-error in not returning the names of their P. G. Masters, and in not having a proper seal for their Grand Lodge. Grand Lodge of Ohio is correct, with the exception of a proper caption, and where the same is located. Grand Lodge of District of Columbia-error in writing the style of the lodge and in the manner of addressing this Grand Lodge; no names of P G. Masters are returned. Columbia Encampment, No. 1, D. C.-omits the name of the Order, and does not address the Grand Lodge by its proper name; no return of their officers, nor P.C. Patriarchs. The dues accruing to this Grand Lodge appear to be $25 83, as per report, and they have no proper seal for their Encampment. Virginius Lodge, No. 3, Wheeling, Va.-no report of the names of their Past Grands. Washington Lodge, No. 2. Norfolk, Va.-no names of their Past Grands; dues accruing to this Grand Lodge as per report, 83 80-$40 is enclosed with the report to be placed to the credit of said lodge. Chosen Friends Lodge, No. 2, Louisville, Ky.-no name of Past Grands; request them to send an impression of their seal. The Order is very flourishing, according to the report of this lodge. The dues accruing to the Grand Lodge are $37 69, on account of which $35 has been received, leaving a balance due of $2 69. Virginia Lodge, No. 1-error in not reporting where the lodge is held, nor the names of their elected officers, according to the usage of subordinate lodges, and the last return being without a seal. Grand Encampment of Maryland-error in styling themselves the O. I. O. F. instead of the proper title I. O. of O. F., and no returns of their elected officers or their P. G. Patriarchs, nor the places of meeting of the Encampments. Boon Lodge, No. 1, Louisville, Ky.-no names of Past Grands. The initials of the style of the Order have been omitted on the seal of this lodge, which should be added to it. The dues accruing to the Grand Lodge are $37 49, on account of which $37 has been received, leaving a balance of 49 cents. All of which is respectfully submitted, and the committee offer the following resolution: JOHN PEARCE, Resolved, That the Grand and subordinate lodges and Encampments be requested to make their future_ returns correspond as fully as possible according to the blank form as prepared for that purpose, and published in the proceedings of this Session of the Grand Lodge-and on the petition of Virginius Lodge, No. 3, for a remission of their dues, they also recommend, that said lodge be allowed until next Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge for payment of the same. Rep. Ridgely, of Maryland, offered the following resolution, which was determined in the negative. Resolved, That the report of the Committee on Returns and Reports be re-committed to them, with instructions, that they have exceeded their jurisdiction, they having no cognizance of petitions or finances. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, moved that the report be accepted and the resolution adopted, which was decided in the affirmative: the yeas and nays being called, were as follows: YEAS-Rep's Mowatt, Hopkins, 2 votes; Warner, Glazier, Pearce and P. G. Sire Wildey--7. NAYS-Rep's Ridgely, 2 votes-2. Rep. Mowatt, of New York, offered the following resolution, which was adopted. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary report the names of the lodges who have sent an impression of their seal, in accordance with Article 7, of the By-Laws. P. G. Sire Gettys presented the following report, and on motion of Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, it was accepted, and ordered to be spread on the journal. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: In compliance with the requisition of the Grand Lodge, and of the ancient usage of the Order, the Grand Sire would respectfully report, that since the last Annual Communication, I visited Virginia Lodge, No. 1, located at Harper's Ferry, Va., and found the Order in a prosperous condition. In July last I deputed P. G. Sire Wildey to visit such Grand and subordinate Lodges, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States, as might be deemed necessary, East and North of Maryland; who has made to me the following report: "That he left Baltimore on the 5th day of August, 1835, for Philadelphia; that while in that city he waited on P. G. M. Skinner, Grand Secretary to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and received from him a very satisfactory account of the situation of the Order in that state: called on the Grand Master, who was absent from the city; after which he visited the Hall, paid his respects to the members of Pennsylvania Lodge, No. 1, among whom he found P. G. M. Potts, one of her oldest Past Grands. The P. Grand Sire left Philadelphia next morning for New York, and on reaching the steam-boat, found P. G. M. Pearce, Rep. of New Jersey, and G. M. Howell Hopkins, Rep. of Pennsylvania, who gave him very flattering information respecting the Order in their respective states. On his arrival in New York, he was hurried off to Albany, accompanied by G. M. Leise, and other members of the Grand Lodge, about to assemble in that city. On his arrival, there was a meeting of the Encampment, and he assisted in installing their officers, furnishing them with every necessary information, and receiving an assurance that no exertion would be wanting on their part to ensure future success. The Grand Lodge as • Report the names.-This order does not appear to have been complied with. sembled next day, being better attended and receiving more full reports than at any previous session-made every requisite inquiry into their proceedings, and found them conforming, in every particular, to the general usages of the Order-harmony and prosperity exist among the members, presenting a very flattering prospect, and guaranteeing a much greater increase than heretofore. He assisted in installing the officers of the Grand Lodge, and was much pleased with his reception. On his return to the city of New York, visited the Encampment, was received by the brethren in the most cordial manner, and found the Order in a truly flourishing condition in that city. On the 12th, the P. Grand Sire left for Providence, R. I.-visited the members, and found they were disorganized, not having had a meeting for twelve months, the members being scattered from place to place. Here the P. Grand Sire met with P. G. Wood, from Taunton, Mass., who informed him that the lodge at Taunton was disorganized, without a hope of being re-established. He then left for Massachusetts, arrived in Boston, and from thence to Lowell; found the members true to the cause of Odd Fellowship, who pledged themselves to sustain the interests and secure the approbation of the Order. The P. Grand Sire is of opinion, that although this state has been neglected by its principal officers for some years past, there is no state in the Union possessed of better members, nor presents a more ample field for the cultivation of the principles of Odd Fellowship. After remaining in Lowell two days, returned to Boston, and visited P. G. Guild, and inquired of him whether there was any prospect of re-opening a lodge in that city, but he gave him no hopes at present. P. G. Guild has all the books, charters, &c., of forfeited lodges in the state, in his possession, with the exception of a lecture book, loaned to a Past Grand not then in town, but promised he would forward them in time for the meeting of the Grand Lodge of the United States in Baltimore. On his return, he called at the village of Cranson, R. I., and had an interview with P. G. Wood, his present place of residence, one of the most confidential and persevering Odd Fellows in the eastern part of our country. After some consultation with him, they found that nothing could be done to organize a lodge either at Taunton, Mass., or Providence, R. I. P. G. Wood promised to have the books of both lodges collected, and forwarded at the coming session of the Grand Lodge of the United States. The members of the lodge at Taunton promised to deposite their certificates in Merrimack Lodge, at Lowell, until such time as a new lodge could be opened. After leaving Rhode Island, arrived at New York, from thence to Paterson, N. J., called on the principal members, and gave them every necessary instruction, particularly the Encampment, the charter of which had become defaced; a new one applied for and granted, which has since been forwarded. The P. Grand Sire returned to New York, from thence to Philadelphia, and found that the charter for Iowa, had been forwarded; proceeded then to Wilmington, Del., had an interview with the Grand Master, and found the Order progressing in that state. He arrived in Baltimore on his return, and reports that the Order in Maryland is increasing in numbers and respectability. The P. Grand Sire also reports having received a small parcel containing books, certificates and proceedings of the Grand Annual Moveable Committee of Great Britain." I visited Washington Lodge, No. 2, in Norfolk, Va., in September, and found the lodge contending against adverse circumstances, yet with the prospect of surmounting their difficulties, and advancing in the good cause of benevolence and charity. The D. Grand Sire reports that he has attended to forwarding four charters left in his charge, at the last Annual Communication, viz: an Encampment and subordinate charter at Louisville, Ky., a subordinate charter at St. Louis, Mo., and one at Covington, Ky., all forwarded to P. G. Miller, of Lower Alton, Illinois, from whom he received an answer that he had performed the duty assigned him, with the exception of St. Louis, who were not ready to receive it, and promised to write so soon as they were, since which time he has not heard from him. I must apologize to the Grand Lodge for not having complied with the requisition of the Constitution, in visiting the lodges in the Valley of the Mississippi, which proceeded from a want of knowledge of a brother properly qualified to be deputized, and from the low state of the treasury of the Grand Lodge of the United States, I was unwilling to incur the expense of a personal visit. From a review of the situation of the Order in the United States, the Grand Sire would congratulate the Representatives on the prosperous condition of our beloved Order in this country, and would recommend a liberal and wise system of legislation, so that the great principles of our Institution may become more fully known and better appreciated throughout the land. All of which is respectfully submitted. JAMES GETTYS, Grand Sire. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, from the committee on the Work of the Order, reported a new degree for members of a Grand Encampment of Patriarchs, which was read, and, on motion, laid on the table. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, moved that the committee on the remaining part of the Work of the Order, be discharged, which was decided in the affirmative. P. G. Sire Wildey offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to revise the installations of Grand and Subordinate Lodges and Encampments, and the ceremonies used on delivery of charters; together with the **** used at the installation of officers, &c. The Grand Sire appointed as the committee, P. G. Sire Wildey; and Rep's Pearce, of New Jersey, and Ridgely, of Maryland. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, from the Committee of Finance, presented the following report. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: The Committee of Finance respectfully report, that by the report of the Grand Sire, it appears that during the recess of this Grand Lodge, the interest of the Order required a personal visit by him to lodges at Harper's Ferry, Norfolk, and Baltimore-and that the interest of the Order hav |