ing forms, scattering in their path desolation and death, have not been permitted to reveal their ghastly horrors in this our own fair heritage. For this let us thank Him in whose hands are the destinies of all nations, for surely, these evidences of the divine goodness and mercy, ought to inspire our hearts with thankfulness.

OUR DEAD.

With our rejoicings however, there comes to our minds and hearts a feeling of sadness as we are reminded that the "grim messenger "—the busy reaper-has entered our abode and taken to himself two of the permanent members of this Grand Body. One of whom by the voice of his Companions had reached the summit of power and honor among us. One who had filled the highest position in this Grand Chapter. I allude to Most Excellent Companion WILLIAM BROWN, Past Grand High Priest, who died at his residence in the city of Battle Creek, aged 69 years, on the 23d of September. Companion BROWN was a good man and true, full of Masonic charity and beloved by all. His name to Michigan Royal Arch Masons was a household word. All knew Companion BROWN, and to know him was to love him. At the time of his death, he was one of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, and I feel confident the Chairman of that Committee, Companion Grand Secretary INNES, who was his "early friend and companion," will make such mention of his death in that report as his great loss merits.

The sad intelligence of the death of Companion BROWN reached me through the medium of the daily press and at a time when I could not arrange to attend his funeral obsequies.

It is also my painful duty to report the death of our esteemed and well beloved Companion FIDUS LIVERMORE, Past Grand King of this Grand Chapter, who died at his residence in the City of Jackson on November 28th. Companion LIVERMORE was well known to those of us who attended the sessions of this Grand Body in years past. He was elected Grand King of this Grand Chapter at its convocation held in the city of Detroit on the 1st day of January, 1851, 30 years ago. By reference to the reports of that year, we find him an active working member on several committees, and elevated by his companions to the high office of Grand King. From that time until his death he was a zealous, active mason. He lived to see this Grand Chapter pass from its infancy to its present strength and manhood. In every position, civil and masonic, that our worthy companion filled through life, he made an honorable record and a fame which will be lasting.

I would respectfully suggest that the deaths of these excellent companions be referred to a proper committee, and they be instructed to report suitable resolutions, expressive of our love for these companions, whose memories will live in our hearts, and of the severe loss sustained by the Grand Chapter in this sad bereavement.

FINANCE.

My worthy and esteemed predecessor, Past Grand High Priest SPAULDING in his address last year, reported to you the improved financial condition of our Grand Chapter.

It is my pleasure to inform you that from the reports of your Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary, we still find ourselves with an increased balance in the treasury.

For an actual statement of this matter, I refer you to the accounts of these two officers, together with the report of your Committee on Fi

nance.

The increase in our membership will not, I think, compare favorably with that of other years. This will appear not a little surprising when we remember the general prosperity with which we have been favored. However, this may be attributed, in part at least, to the heated political campaign through which we have passed, and the natural diversion of the public mind incident thereto. In fact, so general has been this diversion, that in some of our subordinate bodies but few, comparatively, could be found who did not " bow the knee to Baal," and worship at that shrine to the neglect of every masonic duty.

NEW CHAPTERS.

On the 25th day of February, I granted a dispensation to a constitutional number of companions, for the forming and opening of a Chapter at Petoskey, Emmet County, to be known as Emmet Chapter, No. 104, naming Companion ORVILLE T. BLOOD as High Priest, JAMES BUCKLEY, King, and CHARLES J. PAILTHORPE as Scribe of said Chapter. The petition was accompanied by the proper recommendation, duly attested, and with the Dimits of the applicants. I also had the assurance of Past Grand High Priest KRUGER, that the proposed officers were duly qualified for their several positions, and that their Hall was properly provided and protected.

From the numerous reports which have reached me, we may safely predict a flourishing Chapter at Petoskey. The application and accompanying papers are herewith submitted.

I am informed by a letter from the High Priest, that he will be present at this Convocation, when he expects to present such work for inspection as will merit your approbation and entitle them to a charter. Permit me to bespeak for them your favorable consideration

In the month of March last, an application, properly recommended, was received from a constitutional number of Companions at Midland City, praying for the location of a Chapter at that place. Taking time for deliberation, and making several inquiries, I learned that they had but little if any territory beside their own Lodge-and that not largefrom which to derive support. This seeming to me inadequate for the maintenance of a prosperous Chapter, and being desirous of subserv ing the best interests of the Craft, I did not feel warranted in granting their request, neither could I say positively that a dispensation ought not to be granted. I therefore returned to them all papers, advising a direct application to the Grand Chapter. From information recently received it is inferred that they will not make a formal application at this session.

An informal application was also made by Companions at Farmington, Oakland County, for a dispensation to form and open a Chapter at that place.

They have here a flourishing Lodge and a fine hall, and, that for a time a Chapter would flourish, I do not doubt, but in due time there would come a reaction or, if continuing to maintain a healthy and prosperous growth, it must needs be at the expense of other Chapters contiguous to them, as there are already six Chapters located in Oakland County, which is by far too many, as some of those recently chartered are free to admit. I visited the companions at Farmington, when the subject was freely discussed, resulting finally in a seemingly cheerful relinquishment of their fondly cherished desire.

Almost immediately after the close of our last session, the companions interested in the location of a Chapter at Bangor, whose application the Grand Chapter had so recently refused, (See page 40, Proceedings 1880,) made an informal application for a re-opening of their case. They urged that, had they been fairly represented before the Committee, their request would not have been denied. Believing, however, that the Grand Chapter had wisely determined as to the merits of the case, and knowing that from its judgment there is no appeal, I declined to entertain their application.

A strange infatuation, not however peculiar to the past year, seems to have gotten possession of Companions, that because ten or a dozen

of them live in or near some village in which there is a Lodge, that, therefore, a Chapter is a necessity. I know that it would be pleasant to those who prize the privileges of R. A. Masonry, to be able to enjoy them without being obliged to travel several miles, that they might do so. But, Companions, if you have been observant you will bear me out in this, that when the novelty of having a Chapter right at your own doors has worn off, it is about all that can be expected if a sufficent number can be assembled to open a Chapter and transact the business. Companions, think on these things.

QUESTION DEPARTMENT.

The Question Department has come to be a permanent fixture in the annual reports of Grand High Priests, and the intelligent exposition of Masonic law, which semetimes accompany the decision of important questions, is really of great value. This very desirable accompaniment, however, will not attach to the present report. A great number of questions have been asked, and very many of them would seem to indicate that our own Constitution has never been read by the dif ferent questioners. It is, indeed, one of the duties of the G. H. P. to decide all questions of Masonic law, as applied to capitular Masonry, and he ought to be qualified to give an intelligent decision. But, Companions, it is also your duty to make yourselves familiar with our Constitution, so recently adopted, that it may not be necessary for you to ask: If more than one ballot is required for the Degrees; whether or not the use of substitutes is permitted; and a great many similar questions, which he that runs may read and understand.

DECISIONS.

I submit the following decisions for your approval or correction; none of them, perhaps, involve any new principle of Masonic law :

1st Question. At the last annual election in our Chapter, no Sentirel was elected. Our By-Laws provide that the H. P. shall appoint the said officer. At a subsequent meeting I made the appointment and was proceeding to install, when objection was made. Can I proceed and install the Sentinel whom I have appointed?

Ans. No. Under the new Constitution the Sentinel is an officer of the Chapter, and must be elected by ballot. (See Sec. 1 and 2, Art. 8.) The old Sentinel holds his office until his successor is elected and installed.

2d Question. When a Companion is suspended for non-payment of dues by his Lodge, is he thereby excluded from his Chapter, and if so,

what notice would be necessary, and what action is required on their part?

Ans. It is, I think, an almost universal rule, that suspension in Blue Lodge in effect suspends from all the rights and benefits of capitular Masonry. Any reliable evidence that the Companion is suspended in his Lodge, is sufficient; then direct your Secretary to enter the facts in the Record of the Chapter.

3d Question. Some time since, a member of our Chapter was expelled from his Lodge and a proper record was made in Chapter “B. B." Subsequently, on appeal to Grand Lodge, the Brother was restored to the rights and benefits of Masonry, but without affiliation, he having removed permanently from this Grand Jurisdiction. Does this action

of Grand Lodge, in its effect, restore to membership in the Chapter, and if so, what action is required on the part of the Chapter?

Ans. I am of the opinion that this annulling by Grand Lodge of the act of the Lodge, thereby removing the cause of the non-recognition as A. R. A. M., does, in effect, restore to membership in the Chapter. And as the Chapter did not, by its action, deprive him of membership, so none is necessary to restore, except that the proper record be made of the fact of restoration by Grand Lodge to all the rights and benefits of Masonry.

4th Question. A candidate having been duly elected to receive the several Degrees conferred in the Chapter, and having received the M. M., P. M., and M. E. M. Degrees, objection is made to his further advancement. Does the objection bar the further advancement of the candidate?

Ans. The candidate cannot be advanced until the objection is removed. (Sec. 4, Art. 11.)

5th Question. Would it be proper for the High Priest to invite a present or Past High Priest of another Chapter to preside while conferring the Royal Arch Degree; and, further, has the High Priest a right to dispense with the when exalting to the sublime Degree of a R. A. M.?

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Ans. It is the duty of the High Priest to preside over his Chapter, but in the conferring of any Degree, he may, with propriety, invite any past or present High Priest to assist in the same.

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2d. The may not be dispensed with, but trifling with the candidates should not be permitted. They should be exalted,