hours to the welfare and advancement of Capitular Masonry. Throughout the State, as far as I have been able to learn, harmony and prosperity prevail among the craft. Nothing of importance has arisen to occupy the attention of your officers, except the regular routine duties and friendly visits, which are always a pleasure rather than a burden. And, in this connection, allow me to say that I wish the Chapters would exercise more freedom about inviting the Grand Officers, for, if I am rightly informed, those who need instruction most seldom give us an opportunity. DECISIONS. The following decisions were made by the Grand High Priest and approved by Grand Chapter: A candidate receives the preparatory degrees in the Chapter, but before being exalted an objection is made, after which he removes to another jurisdiction, there applying for exaltation; consent is asked of the former Chapter to confer it. The vote was taken by show of hands. Was the case disposed of in a regular manner? Answer. No; it should have been by ballot, at a regular Convocation. If a ballot was necessary, should it have been unanimous? Answer. Yes. Is not a committee of the whole unmasonic, and any attempted business in such committee void? Answer. Yes. Can a Masonic body form and adopt a code of by-laws, and thereby establish or change the time of their annual meeting? Answer. Yes. CLOSING. He closes his address as follows: And now, Companions, as I shall soon surrender to my successor this emblem of authority which was intrusted to my keeping one year ago, I desire to tender to you my sincere thanks for the honors that I have received at your hands, for the fraternal greetings and uniform courtesies that have always been extended to me on my visitations to Subordinate Chapters, and especially to the Deputy Grand High Priest and Grand Secretary for their willing and able advice and counsel during my term of office. You now have before you an account of my stewardship, the result of which I leave in your hands, trusting it will be adjudged by you with the same spirit in which it is rendered. DULY RECOGNIZED. The following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That this Grand Chapter recognizes the M. E. Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Quebec as the only lawful and legitimate authority or power from which charters or warrants for Chapters to confer the degree of Mark Master Masons may be issued, and, in our judgment, Mark Master Masons advanced in such lodges should alone be recog nized as having received said degree in a regular lodge, lawfully constituted. A NEW SCHEME. On motion of Companion Samuel Bassett, the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That when any Companion Royal Arch Mason wishes to dissolve his connection with the Chapter of which he is a member, and affiliate with another, he may be permitted to apply for affiliation before taking a dimit, but membership shall not take effect until he has depos ited his dimit with the Chapter to which he may apply. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. Companion John H. Barlow presents his usual excellent Report on Correspondence, embracing a review of the proceedings of thirty-nine sister Grand Jurisdictions. KIND WISHES. He quotes liberally from the address of Companion George Hill, and says: We trust he will be able to participate in the labors of the Grand Chapter for at least the seventeen years to come, not, as is sometimes the case, conclude that being a Past Grand High Priest, his labors are over. The experience acquired in the years of official service is what the Grand Chapter needs for counsel and advice. Rest assured, Companion Barlow, that P. G. H. P. Hill will never be found shirking his Masonic duties. He is a zealous, consistent Companion, and has done much for the good of Masonry in our jurisdiction, and will continue to do so until sum moned by the Supreme Architect to give an account of his stewardship. KIND WORDS. Of our jurisdiction and of ourself he says: This jurisdiction is in good condition financially. After providing for all its appropriations it has over four thousand dollars ($4,000) in its treasury. M. E. Companion William P. Innes, as usual, presents an able, full and complete Report on Correspondence. His report fills 187 pages of the proceedings, and he even sighs for more space. Forty Grand Jurisdictions are carefully reviewed, including our own for 1883, which receives a due share of notice. We thankfully appreciate his kind words in reference to our correspondence report. Thanks, Companion Barlow. You are a worthy member of the M. A. S." CLOSING. We give his closing remarks in full: We have once more performed our usual round of duty, and present the result of our labors. Our journey has been pleasant and we trust profitable to us, though in its pursuit we have at times felt weary and worn. But few subjects of discussion have been presented, the most important of which is that of discipline for non-payment of dues, which has engaged the attention of almost every jurisdiction, and which we think will soon become a settled question, and the refusal or neglect, if able, to pay just dues, will render the member liable to charges, and suffer the penalty of suspension from all the rights and privileges of Masonry. Companion Drummond, of Maine, one of the most able advocates of mere deprivation of membership as the penalty, admits that such is the prevailing opinion. The formation of the General Grand Council has virtually settled the question of the Council Degrees, and the general conclusion seems to be to let the Grand Chapter of Texas alone to take her own time to return to the allegiance of the General Grand Chapter. We regret that the proceedings of that General Body have not been received, and we are compelled to close our report without them. We are pleased to report Capitular Masonry in the United States more prosperous than at any time within the past twelve or fifteen years, except it be in a few of the southern jurisdic tions. By a reference to our statistical table, we find that in thirty-three jurisdictions there is a gain of members the past year of 5,339; only nine jurisdictions report a loss, amounting in the aggregate to 90making a net gain of 5,249, as compared with 3,060 for 1883; the returns of 1883 show 3,148 suspended or stricken from the roll for non-payment of dues, while in the present year there are only 2,280. In the few jurisdictions that lodges and Chapters seem to be in a decline, various causes are assigned. Among them, we notice the existence of modern secret societies, having a stated benefit or insurance feature attached to them, as usurping the place of our ancient fraternity. We do not share in any such fears-to all brotherhoods or societies having for their object the improvement of man's social condition, to impress upon his mind his capabilities for good-we would rather bid God-speed, there is room and opportunities to do good for us all. Masonry will never die by such means, but, rather, there will be an incentive to admonish us of our duty. The past year, like those which have preceded it, has left its lessons of sorrow and bereavement; many bright hopes have vanished, many loved and honored ones received their final summons. Our own jurisdiction has been mercifully spared. Let us be thankful, and extend our sympathies to the sorrowing ones. For the many kind words spoken by our Companion reporters we return grateful thanks. May the blessing of heaven rest upon all true Masons. M. E. Chester Tilden, Willimantic, elected Grand High Priest. R. E. Joseph K. Wheeler, Hartford, re-elected Grand Secretary. DELAWARE-1884. The Sixteenth Annual Convocation of this Grand Chapter was held in the city of Wilmington, January 16, A. D. 1884, A. I. 2414. M. E. Thomas Davidson, Grand High Priest. Four subordinate Chapters represented. ADDRESS OF GRAND HIGH PRIEST. In opening his address Companion McIntire says: Since we met at our last Annual Convocation another year has passed into eternity, another year in the record book of our lives has been turned, another year with its golden opportunities and great responsibilities, its joys and its sorrows, its hopes and its disappointments, has gone. To-day, by permission of the Great Architect of the Universe, without whose aid and blessing we cannot succeed, we have assembled around our sacred altar to offer up our devotion, to thank Him for the many blessings we have enjoyed, and to invoke his aid in reviewing the work of the past, and legislating for the future. Let us then pause and consider, have we, during the past year, been trying with a firm reliance on Divine protection to live up to the requirements of our beloved institution? As we look back over the seemingly short time since last we met, how vividly are we reminded that our days are fleeting, and that we are rapidly approaching that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns, and that to improve to the utmost the remaining time is the part of wisdom and duty. While amid the shifting scenes of life we review the labors of the past, is it not well for us to consider whether the work we have brought up for inspection will stand the test of the Grand Overseer's square, and endeavor to amend our lives so that when we are called upon to present our work in the presence of the Grand High Priest on high, it may be pronounced good work, true and square work, and receive the commendation, "well done good and faithful servants." STATE OF THE ORDER. Capitular Masonry, if one might judge by the subjoined remarks of the Grand High Priest, is on the decline in our sister State, Delaware, and we opine that if the charters of a few Chapters were revoked and their members and officers disciplined, more interest would be taken in the matter: I wish I could give as encouraging a report of the Chapters outside of the city, but such is not the case. I have been unable to visit any of the Chapters outside of Wilmington. None of them, so far as I have been able to learn, have held a Convocation during the past year, but I believe were it not for the regulation of the General Grand Chapter requiring nine members to be present to conduct business, I would |