Page images
PDF
EPUB

Amount brought forward,

G. Treas. Cr. By Cash paid G. M. Wildey's bill,

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

"G. Sec'y Entwisle,
"G. Con. Common,

"P. G. Roach,

Balance in G. Treasurer's hands,

$5 38
075

$50 15

0 81

24 42

$31 36

$18 79

The Grand Lodge then closed.

JOHN P. ENTWISLE, Grand Secretary.

Annual Report of Grand and Subordinate Lodges to the R. W. Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States, commencing February, 1823, and ending February, 1824.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

The Grand Committee_met pursuant to a call of the Grand Master, and opened in regular form. Present:

THOMAS WILDEY,

JOHN P. ENTWISLÉ,

MAURICE FENNELL,
JOHN BOYD,

CHARLES COMMON,

P. G's Nelson, Scotchburn and Roach.

M. W. G. Master.

R. W. G. Secretary.

R. W. A. G. Secretary.
W. G. Guardian.

W. G. Conductor, and

The Grand Master then presented letters from the Grand Lodges of Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, which were referred to a committee to answer the same, and the books ordered by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, were directed to be sent. Also, a letter from P. G's Ford and Hussey members of the Grand Lodge of New York, which was likewise referred to the committee having charge of those from the several Grand Lodges, with directions to incorporate such observations as may arise on the subject of the letters of the Past Grands.

On motion, the following was

Ordered, That the communication printed in the Boston Newspapers be copied in one or more of the Newspapers in this City.

Ordered, That the ninth night of the sitting of the N. G. of Washington Lodge, No. 1, be appointed for the visitation of the Grand Lodge, and that the lodge be acquainted therewith.

The Grand Committee then adjourned in F. L. & T.

C⭑

JOHN P. ENTWISLE, Grand Secretary.

BALTIMORE, April 15th, 1824.

The Grand Committee met pursuant to a call of the Grand Master, and opened in regular form. Present:

THOMAS WILDEY,
JOHN WELCH,

JOHN P. ENTWISLE,

JOHN BOYD,

CHARLES COMMON,

P. G's Nelson and McKormick.

M. W. G. Master

R. W. D. G. Master.
R. W. G. Secretary.
W. G. Guardian.

W. G. Conductor, and

The Grand Master stated that the call was made for the purpose of considering a communication from G. Sec'y Entwisle, Rep. of Maryland, in Grand Committee, for the purpose of organizing the Grand Lodge of the United States.

Whereupon, G. Sec'y Entwisle, Rep. of Maryland, submitted the proceedings of the Grand Committee for the purpose of organizing the Grand Lodge of the United States, passed February 22d, 1824, as having been approved of by the several Grand Lodges.

After due deliberation, the whole subject was referred to a committee, to to report this evening.

Committee-G. M. Wildey, D. G. M. Welch and G. Sec'y Entwisle. The committee then submitted a report, and the following preamble and resolutions. Which were unanimously adopted.

Whereas, It is expedient in sound policy, that the Grand Lodges of the Order of I. O. F. in the United States, should hold a close adherance and a regular correspondence with each other; and it is imperative in strict justice to render the several Grand Lodges in the Union, independent of each other, and equally represented in the Grand Lodge of the United States, either by Representatives or Proxies; and that it is inexpedient as well as invidious, that the Grand Lodge of Maryland and the Grand Lodge of the United States should act under the same charter, and be presided over by the same Grand Master, whereby the office of Grand Master would be confined to the State of Maryland, to the preference of one state and possibly to the injury of the whole. Therefore be it Resolved,

1st. That we highly approve of the City of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, as the permanent seat of the Grand Lodge of the United States, being central in situation as well as senior in Order.

2d. That we hail with grateful remembrance the day when the Grand Charter was vested in the Past Grands, the death blow of scism and dissention, and the epoch of prosperity in the Order.

3d. That the Grand Charter of Maryland and of the United States be vested in the Past Grands of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and that Maryland shall receive a Grand Charter from the same, and thereupon resign all claim or title to or from it, other than common with the other Grand Lodges; which said Grand Charter shall have and contain in the engrossing thereof, a clause representing the said investment and condition; and further, that the Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States doth give the said charter on condition that they keep the Grand Lodge of the United States in Maryland.

4th. That the Grand Master and the Proxies of the several Grand Lodges, proceed forthwith, and are required to complete the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and have the same brought forward for consideration and adoption on or before the second Quarterly Meeting of the Grand Lodge, the 22d of August.

5th. That when passed, a correct copy of the Constitution be forwarded to each Grand Lodge, within one month after the aforesaid time, in order that the necessary information may be received thereon, previous to the next Annual Meeting. The Grand Committee then closed in F. L. & T.

JOHN P. ENTWISLE, Grand Secretary.

QUARTERLY SESSION.

BALTIMORE, May 22d, 1824.

The R. W. Grand Lodge met pursuant to adjournment, and opened in

regular form. Present:

THOMAS WILDEY,

JOHN WELCH,

MAURICE FENNELL,

JOHN BOYD,

CHARLES COMMON,

M. W. G. Master.
R. W. D. G. Master.

R. W. A. G. Secretary.
W. G. Guardian.

W. G. Conductor, and

P. G's Roach, Harris, Scotchburn, Nelson and Williams.

The proceedings of the several Grand Committee Meetings were read and approved.

G. W. Mitchell and G. Sec'y Entwisle, were each fined 50 cents.
On motion of G. Guar. Boyd, the following was adopted.

Ordered, That a communication be sent to the Franklin Lodge, No. 2, and Columbia Lodge, No. 3, sanctioning the resolution adopted by Washington Lodge, No. 1, viz: "That the members of the same meet once a fortnight in lieu of once a week,' and recommend the same to the said lodges, it having in their opinion, no bearing on the general laws, and viewing it as a general good.

The proceedings of the Grand Lodge, with respect to the correspondence with the different lodges in the United States, as well as those in England, were rehearsed, and several subjects of interest to the Order, discussed.

Report of the Grand Treasurer.

Balance in hands of the G. Treasurer,

Cash received from Washington Lodge, No. 1, dues

18 79

8.00

66 Franklin

[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

G. Treasurer, Cr.

By Cash paid G. M. Wildey,

1 38

[blocks in formation]

A. G. Sec'y Fennell,P. G. Williams and
Br. Brice, for writing,

10 50

[ocr errors][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small]

"P. G. Roach, bill for Stationary,

66 G. Con. Common,

"Postage,

Balance in G. Treasurer's hands,

23 54

We, the undersigned, do hereby testify that the foregoing accounts and proceedings of the Grand Lodge, are all just and correct, although the particular items of some accounts are not stated, they were regularly paid for on their respective dates, and all the members have paid the just dues according to the Constitution and By-Laws. THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. M.

[blocks in formation]

MEETING OF THE GRAND COMMITTEE.

BALTIMORE, July 6th, 1824.

The Grand Committee met pursuant to a call of the Grand Master, and opened in regular form. Present:

THOMAS WILDEY,
THOMAS SCOTCHBURN,
MAURICE FENNELL,
JOHN BOYD,

CHARLES COMMON,

M. W. G. Master.

R. W. D. G. Master. p. t.
R. W. A. G. Secretary.
W. G. Guardian.

W. G. Conductor, and

P. G's Nelson, McKormick, Williams and Roach.

D. G. M. Welch, G. W. Mitchell, and P. G's Roach, Seeds and Harris, were each fined 50 cents.

The Grand Master stated the object of the meeting was to take some action relative to the death of the late Grand Secretary,* JOHN P. ENTWISLE. On motion, it was unanimously

Resolved, That the sum of fifteen dollars be and is hereby appropriated to the widow of our deceased G. Secretary, John P. Entwisle, being the amount intended to purchase the Medal voted him by the Grand Lodge, for his services rendered to the Order in general.

The proceedings of the committee of Franklin Lodge, No. 2, respecting the funeral of our late deceased Grand Secretary, were presented, and approved. When, on motion, it was

Resolved, That a committee of three viz: one from each lodge, be appointed to draw up a communication to be sent to the subordinate lodges, approving of the proceedings of the committee of Franklin Lodge, No. 2, and advising the members of the different lodges for the future, not to be too hasty in expressing their opinions before giving the subject in question due consideration."

The Grand Committee then closed.

MAURICE FENNELL,A. G. Secretary.

The Late Grand Secretary.-In the demise of this faithful and efficient officer, the Order suffered the severest blow it had then experienced. True, detraction had ere this period labored to undermine its usefulness, and open hostility had not hesitated to attack in the most daring manner, its reputation; but in John Pawson Entwisle, it had had a capable defender, a wise counsellor and an untiring servant. For a number of years, every energy of his active mind was unceasingly engrossed in the advancement of the interests of Odd Fellowship. Previous to the establishment of the Grand Lodge of Maryland and United States, he had prepared and submitted to the Order those two beautiful degrees of the Covenant and Remembrance; and after the first year, entered upon the duties of Grand Secretary, an office he was more eminently fitted to fill than any of his compeers. During the last few months of his life, he had been incessantly engaged in arranging the terms and form of a separate Grand Lodge of the United States, which appears from his letters to have been a favorite measure. The preliminaries had been agreed on, and the work itself was nearly done, when he was summoned from his labors. The truth and feeling exhibited in the subjoined extract from an address delivered by brother Entwisle, on the preceding anniversary, will plead our apology for its insertion in this place: "There is before us a fruitful theme for consideration and congratulation. We may turn our mind's eye to the commencement of our operations in this city, and remember with deep interest the small beginning, the steady increase, and present prosperous state of our Order. Unappalled by the brazen front of opposition from without, and carefully guiding and supporting the weak of our community, we have steadily marched on, and our difficulties have gradually disappeared as the shades of night before the rising sun. Six years have this day passed into the depths of eternity since first the banner of Odd Fellowship was unfurled in this city; since then, many have been the pleasing scenes of joy attending our social meetings, and our reciprocation of friendly offices; many the opportunities of enjoying the bursts of feeling, on witnessing the prosperity of brothers; though sometimes we have had to experience the throb of sorrow, when affection was deprived of the object of its delight-when husband and wife have been left solitary-children have become orphans, and society has lost its brightest ornaments."

"Our Order was formed for purposes of benevolence and friendship, and while we proudly contemplate the illustrious characters of those who have gone before us, let us endeavour to acquire an experimental knowledge of the pure principles inculcated by our institution. It is our privilege and interest, as it should be our pride and delight, to emulate the virtues and acquirements of the one, and to prove an ornament to the other. Thus should we pass through all the vicissitudes of life, leaving behind us a luminous track calculated to redound to our honor, and be worthy of the emulation of posterity."

QUARTERLY SESSION.

BALTIMORE, August 23d, 1824.

The R. W. Grand Lodge met pursuant to adjournment, and opened in

regular form. Present:

THOMAS WILDEY,

THOMAS SCOTCHBURN,

MAURICE FENNELL,

JOHN BOYD,

CHARLES COMMON,

P. G's Roach, Harris, Williams and Nelson.

M. W. G. Master.

R. W. D. G. Master, p. t.

R. W. A. G. Secretary.

W. G. Guardian.

W. G. Conductor, and

G. W. Mitchell and P. G. Seeds sent written apologies for non-attendance, which were accepted. P. G. McKormick was confined through severe indisposition.

D. G. M. Welch was fined 50 cents.

The reading of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge, recorded from the commencement up to the present time, was deferred until the next Quarterly Session.

The proceedings of the Grand Committee, held July 6th, 1824, were then read and approved.

P. G's Gill, of No. 2, and Bickley, of No. 3, presented their certificates of membership, were elected and admitted.

P. G's Gill and Bickley then applied for the fourth (G. R.) degree, and were elected and duly instructed.

A letter was received from the N. G. of Pennsylvania Lodge, No. 1, concerning Bro. Whitehead leaving Baltimore without his card, which was discussed, and the action of the lodge, in their strict adherance to the tenor of the law, approved.

A letter was presented from a number of members at Easton, formerly of the different lodges in this place, praying the intercession of the Grand Lodge in establishing a lodge at that place.

The answer to the same prepared by the Grand Secretary, was approved, and with the letter a copy was filed.

A letter was received from the Grand Lodge of New York, highly approving of the circular, as also G. M. Wildey's address, together with that of the late Grand Secretary, John P. Entwisle, and stating the prosperous condition of the Order in that state.

The Grand Master announced, that it was the intention of the Grand Officers to visit Franklin Lodge, No. 2, on the night previous to the first proposition of the present quarter.

In consequence of the demise of the late Grand Secretary, John P. Entwisle, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, in the Grand Lodge of the United States,

On motion, it was

Resolved, That the Grand Lodge do now proceed to the election of Representative to the Grand Lodge of the United States, in place of P. G. John P. Entwisle, deceased.

The Grand Lodge then proceeded to the election of Representative to the Grand Lodge of the United States, and P. G. Charles Common was declared duly elected.

« PreviousContinue »