ous: and it has passed into a concession that the lighter such burdens are laid on those who contribute toward public expenses, the more popular and prosperous the government and contented the constituency. Under our system of government, a general increase in the amount of the dues would prove highly injurious to the smaller and weaker Grand Bodies; and it would equally be distasteful to them for corresponding increase of power to accompany the exaction on those bodies strong enough in members and means to warrant them in augmenting their direct contributions, should demand be made on them alone; yet such increase of power under exaction of the kind would but comport with common justice and the genius of our organization. All the lights of experience and the highest effort of your wisdom are required to be brought to bear on this vital subject, lest some mistaken policy should operate as a clog to the future prosperity of our cherished institution. To enable the Grand Lodge to meet pressing claims against it, the Grand Sire authorized, under the resolution of last session, one thousand dollars to be taken upon loan. In closing his last communication in an official capacity, the Grand Sire cannot refrain from expressing to his beloved brethren, whose kindness and confidence elevated him to the highest honor of the Order, his deep and sincere acknowledgments for the continued evidence of their personal regard, and for the devotion with which they have assisted in the discharge of the important duties that have devolved on him during a period remarkable alike for the importance of the series of events, and for the position which American Odd Fellowship has been forced to assume. Standing alone, as it now does, before the world and high Heaven, resting solely on its intrinsic merits for its future usefulness, our loved Order is with confidence commended to the care and protection of HIM who in the plenitude of his Providence "tempers the wind to the shorn lamb." Baltimore, September 18, 1843. JOHN A. KENNEDY, Grand Sire. On motion of Rep. Treadwell, of New York, the report was referred to a select committee, with instructions to report a proper distribution of its subjects to the appropriate committees. The Chair named Rep. Treadwell, of New York; P. G. Sire Glazier ; and Rep. Marshall, of Kentucky, as the committee. Rep. Hurlbut, of South Carolina, having voted in the majority upon the resolution negatived at the morning session, against admitting all R. P. D. visiting brethren, now in the city, to witness the deliberations of this body, moved a re-consideration of that vote, which was decided in the affirmative. The resolution being now under consideration, Rep. Marshall, of Kentucky, moved to amend the same by striking out the words "deliberations of this body," and substituting the words "Installation of the Grand Officers elect," which was decided in the affirmative. Rep. Marshall, of Kentucky, called for the previous question, which being demanded by a majority of the members present, the said previous question was put, that is, "shall the main question be now put?" and was decided in the affirmative. The question was then put-"Will the Grand Lodge adopt the resolution as amended by Rep. Marshall, of Kentucky ?" when it was determined in the affirmative. The hour having arrived fixed for the order of the day, to wit: the installation of Grand Officers, On motion of Rep. Kneass, of Pennsylvania, the Grand Lodge proceeded to that ceremony. P. G. M. HOWELL HOPKINS, of Pennsylvania, being presented by P. G. Sires Wildey and Glazier, at the foot of the Chair, having been first examined and found duly qualified, according to the various requisitions of the Constitution, was solemnly qualified in the O.B.N. of his office. G. Sire Hopkins, having been invested with the regalia of his office, was formally conducted to the Chair by P. G. Sires Wildey and Glazier, and was proclained the duly installed Grand Sire of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of America, after the ancient form-when he addressed the brethren as follows: "One of the first lessons learned in Odd Fellowship, is obedience to your superiors. A due observance of their legitimate requirements is enjoined on every member at each stage of his advancement in the Order. At the call of his lodge, each member should perform the duties asked of him if in his power so to do; and although it may not exactly harmonize with his wishes, yet it is his duty, so far as in his power, to further the declared wishes of his brethren, to carry out their views, and to the best of his ability promote the good of the Order. The Grand Lodge of the United States, the illustrious head of the Order, at its last session, having, by the votes of its Representatives, thought proper to call for my services, and expressed its wishes that I should perform the duties of Grand Sire of the Order in the United States of America. Whatever may be my individual wishes, and however much I regret that their selection should have fallen on me, who, although feeling the most ardent desire to promote the good of the Order; to sustain that reputation which the principles of the Order have gained for it, yet is conscious of his inability to do, and perform all that may be expected of him. But acting on the principles of obedience to his superiors, as early learned in the Order, I yield to the wishes of my brethren, and will endeavour to perform the duties of the office you have elected me to, calling to my aid all the knowledge I have heretofore acquired, and such as I may derive from a faithful study of the principles of the Order. In the performance of these duties, I shall look with confidence to the assistance which is to be expected from the intelligence, knowledge and love of the Order to be found in my brethren comprising the Grand Lodge." P. G. M. WILLIAM S. STEWART, Deputy Grand Sire, P. G. M. JAMES L. RIDGELY, Grand Recording Secretary, and P. G. M. ANDREW E. WARNER, Grand Treasurer, Were then each installed into their respective offices by the Grand Sire. The ceremony of installation being closed, The Grand Sire appointed the following Grand Officers, by and with the advice and consent of the Grand Lodge, as required by the Constitution, viz: P. G. Sec'y WILLIAM CURTIS, of Pennsylvania, W. G. Marshal. The Grand Lodge resumed the consideration of business, when Rep. Salomon, of Alabama, offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, unanimously, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge be and they are hereby respectfully tendered to P. G. Sire, John A. Kennedy, the late incumbent of the first Chair, for the able and dignified manner he has presided over the deliberations of this body at its regular session, and for the general promptitude and ability he has evinced, in the discharge of the arduous duties intrusted to his care during the recess, and that the Grand Secretary be requested to furnish him with a copy of this resolution, under the seal of the Grand Lodge. Rep. Marshall, of Kentucky, who had voted in the majority upon the resolution decided in the negative at the morning session, providing for the printing of the journal of proceedings of the Grand Lodge from day to day, moved a re-consideration of the vote had upon that subject, which was decided in the affirmative. The resolution being now under consideration, on motion of Rep. Treadwell, of New York, the whole subject was referred to a select committee, with instructions to report upon the probable additional expense, and the practicability of the measure. The Chair announced as the committee, Rep's Moore, of District of Columbia; Treadwell, of New York; and Kneass, of Pennsylvania. On motion, the Grand Lodge adjourned until to-morrow morning, at nine o'clock. WEDNESDAY, September 20th, 9 o'clock, A. M. The Grand Lodge assembled pursuant to adjournment: Present, the Officers and a due representation. Prayer by the Grand Chaplain. The Grand Sire presented the appeal of several lodges of the state of Massachusetts against the decision of the Grand Lodge of the state, which being made without the assent of the state Grand Lodge, as required by the Constitution, he stated could not be received: when on motion of Rep. Stokes, of Pennsylvania, the petitioners obtained leave to withdraw their appeal. Rep. Hinman, of Connecticut, from the Committee on Petitions, submitted the following report, with the accompanying resolution, which was accepted and the resolution adopted. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: The Committee on Petitions, to whom was referred a paper purporting to be an application from Henry Bremer and four other brothers of the state of New York, for a charter for a subordinate lodge to be instituted in the free city of Hamburg, Germany-have duly considered the same, and believing that the extension of the Order in that quarter of the globe would be of vast benefit, if intrusted to the proper persons, and conducted upon the principles which govern the Order in this jurisdiction, are of opinion that when an application shall be made in due form it should be granted. They therefore respectfully submit the following resolution. ROBINSON S. HINMAN, THOMAS SHERLOCK, 8YLVESTER VN SICKELL. Resolved, That when a formal application may be made for a charter for a lodge, to be installed in Hamburg, the Grand Sire be and he is hereby authorized and directed to issue a dispensation for that purpose-provided, that satisfactory evidence shall be submitted to him, of the qualifications of the applicants. Rep. Stokes, of Pennsylvania, from the select committee, on deferred business, made the following report, which was read and on motion accepted. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: The committee appointed to report upon the deferred unfinished business of last session find that on the examination of the minutes, the following business remains unfinished or laid over for the action of this session. On page 447, amendment to Article II, of the Constitution. "448, amendment to Article XII, แ "456, strike out Article VIII, 66 "464, amendment to Article XII, do. do. do. "464, Report of the committee on the property of the Grand Lodge, and schedule of the same. Respectfully submitted. JOHN W. STOKES, Rep. Moore, of District of Columbia, from the select committee to whom was referred the subject of having the journal printed daily, made the following report. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: The select committee to whom was referred the subject of having the journal of this body printed daily, and placed on the tables of members, have consulted with the printer in regard to the practicability and expense of effecting the object. They find that the cost will probably not exceed the sum of fifty dollars, which is a small consideration compared with the advantages which would result therefrom in facilitating the business of this body. The committee, however, have some doubts as to the possibili. ty of having the work done on so short a notice, without any previous arrangement, and hence, in order to test the experiment, they recommend the adoption of the following conditional resolution. Resolved, That the copy of the Journal of yesterday and this day, be placed in possession of the printer, to be printed by him, and laid on the tables of members, at the contract price of four dollars for every eight pages; and, provided the said work be accomplished in season, then the journal of to-morrow and the succeeding days of the session, be disposed of in the same manner, but if the work be not done in time, then this contract to cease and be of no effect whatever, except to authorize the proper officers to pay the expense that may be incurred under the first clause of it. All of which is respectfully submitted. WILLIAM W. MOORE, Rep. Ellis, of Connecticut, asked for a division of the question, when the question being taken upon the acceptance of the report, it was decided in the affirmative. Upon motion, to adopt the resolution accompanying the report, it was decided in the affirmative. Rep. Treadwell, of New York, from the Committee of Finance, submitted the following report and resolutions. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: The Committee of Finance submit the following resolutions for adoption, believing it will facilitate the business of the Grand Lodge, and also enable the committee to arrive at its pecuniary condition. All of which is respectfully submitted. JOHN G. TREADWELL, A. K. MARSHALL. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary call upon all persons having claims against this body, to present the same to him forthwith. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary furnish the Committee of Finance, with an estimate of the probable receipt of funds at this session, and the probable amount that will be necessary to defray the current expenses of this session, and for the residue of the year. On motion, the report of the committee was accepted, and the resolutions adopted. Rep. Hillyer, of New Jersey, presented the petition of William C. Branin of that state, praying to have the P. D. of the Encampment conferred upon him, which was read and referred to the Committee on Petitions. The Grand Corresponding Secretary presented the following, being his Annual Report. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: In obedience to the resolution defining his duty, the undersigned begs leave very respectfully to submit his Annual Report. At the last session of the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States, the several subjects of duty detailed in the following resolutions, were enjoined upon the Corresponding Secretary. |