In behalf of the Bodies of the Rite in this valley, on account of their great loss by fire, I would respectfully ask of the Supreme Council that duplicate Charters be issued to Maine Consistory, Dunlap Chapter of Rose Croix, Portland Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and Yates Lodge of Perfection, without charge. I submit the following statement of membership and work during the past year. I have collected the dues and remitted the amount to the Grand Secretary General. 5 139 $58. Respectfully submitted, GEORGE W. DEERING, 33°, Deputy for Maine. NEW HAMPSHIRE. NASHUA, August 1, 1877. To the Most Puissant Sov.. Grand Commander of the Supreme Council A.. Your Deputy for New Hampshire would respectfully submit his annual report: The past year has been one of average prosperity in this District. There have been exalted to the Thirty-sccond degree, or Sublime Grade of Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret, three (3) from among our most enterprising Brethren. The dues I have collected and forwarded to the Grand Secretary General. No Council of Deliberation has been held during the past year; there being no business requiring the action of that Body, it was not thought advisable to call a meeting. Harmony and the best of feeling prevails in all the Bodies, and I look confidently for a steady increase in numbers and prosperity. Respectfully submitted. AARON KING, 33°, VERMONT. To Ill.. JOSIAH H. DRUMMOND, 33°, M.·. P.·. Sov.·. Grand Commander of the Supreme Council Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, United States of America, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite: The condition of the Rite in the District of Vermont during the period I have had the honor of holding the office of Deputy, has been fully set forth in the printed proceedings of each annual Council of Deliberation, which have been duly forwarded to you, and also distributed to the Active and Honorary Members of the Supreme Council, so that little remains to be said in my present report. I cannot, however, let the occasion pass by without alluding, officially, to a growing desire on the part of the Brethren to render the various degrees in a thorough workmanlike manner; and it affords me pleasure to testify to the happy results which have followed an increase of knowledge and greater familiarity with the Ritual. The action of the Supreme Council at its last Session, making it a sine qua non, that each S. . P.. R.. S.., 32°, shall have had at least two of the consistorial degrees conferred upon him in full, previous to being proclaimed as such, is likely to prove productive of much good, and Vermont, as a dutiful daughter, will at all times obey orders. The facilities which may be had in the larger cities and older districts of the Rite, for conferring the degrees with a full ceremonial, are not, as yet, within the grasp of the Brethren of Vermont; but they have placed a high standard before them and will, without doubt, in due time attain to it. The growth of the Rite during the past term has been steady, and more work has been done than in years past. Though the increase in numbers may seem small, as compared with older districts, at least the material has been healthy and good. Peace and harmony reigns throughout the district, and the Lodges, Council, Chapter and Consistory are presided over by officers of zeal and ability. The following is an exhibit of the amount of work done since my last Annual Report, and also the total membership of this jurisdiction to date: Dues for the above, amounting to One Hundred and Seventy-eight Dollars, have been forwarded to the Grand Secretary General H.. E.., with the Annual Returns. The following Rose Croix Knights have been duly proclaimed Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, 32°, during the past year, viz: The above list shows an increase in numbers over preceding years. It must be taken into consideration that the "hard times" so generally complained of continue, and have had their effect, in keeping back many who are desirous of joining the Rite. The World's Great Fair and National contest, during the first half of our Masonic year, have also contributed as obstacles to our progress. With a view to encouraging the Brethren generally to study up the Ritual, I thought well to propose to the Council of Deliberation in my annual address, that each Body of the Rite should hold extra sessions during the year solely for purposes of instruction. The subject came up before the Council, and, judging from the favorable reception it met with, I am in hopes that my object will be fully attained. The principal difficulty arises from the fact that the Rituals and work being in the hands of officers only, and the number being limited, other members are unable to learn with any degree of rapidity the work, signs, tokens, passwords, &c., which are necessary to be known. I would respectfully suggest that so soon as the Ritual and work are revised in full, that a favorable opportunity is offered for compiling a "Monitor," which might contain all necessary information so far as may be printed, with a condensed copy of the Constitutions of the Supreme Council, as revised, affecting the working of the various Bodies of the Rite as such. I presume the compilation of such a work, undertaken by some one of our literary Ill.. Brethren, and under the authority and sanction of the Supreme Council, would be most favorably received, and tend in no small degree to advance the interests of the Order, and if published at a popular price, would come easily within the means of every member. The Council of Deliberation has lost the services of a zealous officer in the removal of the late Ill.. Grand Secretary, J. B. Hyndman, 32°, from the District. Hitherto it has been my happy lot to allude to the unbroken chain which bound us together as Brothers of the Rite. Would that it were in my power to speak in like manner at the present time. For over two years we lived under a cloudless sky, our Masonic horizon undarkened, whilst other Districts were called upon to report that the final summons, which one day must come to all-when the grim messenger, Death, shall lay his palsied hand upon those most dear to us, and bear them across the river to join the Celestial Lodge above-had overtaken some of their loved ones; we were spared, and now it is my sad duty to record the decease of two Illustrious Brethren who have been called to their long, long homes. On the 16th day of January last, Ill.. PHINEAS DODGE BALLOU, S... G. ́. I. ́. G... 33°, and Honorary Member of this Supreme Council, met with a sad and sudden death, having been accidentally killed at Deadwood City, in the Black Hills. His remains were conveyed to Troy, N. Y., where they were interred in the family lot, with the Masonic honors due to his high rank, representatives of the various bodies in Burlington, both of the Accepted and York Rites, being present. On the 17th day of December, 1876, Ill.. Oliver Mitchell Pillsbury, 32°, died suddenly at Claremont, N. H. He was a member of Windsor Lodge of Perfection, and a Charter Member of Vermont Consistory, and identified himself with the best interests of the Rite in Vermont. At the annual Council of Deliberation, held on the 17th day of the Hebrew month, Shebat, answering to the 31st day of January, 1877, the decease of the foregoing Illustrious Brethren was appropriately noticed, and Special Committees appointed to prepare suitable tributes of respect to their memory. I would therefore refer to the printed proceedings of the Council for full details. The dread trumpet has sounded its warning notes once more in our ears; then let us who remain pause and lift up our hearts in thankfulness that we are still spared-spared, I trust, for better things. Let us be thankful, also, for the full measure of prosperity we enjoy; yea, let us be thankful for this stroke of affliction, for " as gold must be tried by fire," so do afflictions purify and cleanse the heart by needed discipline, lest we become too careless and indifferent, fancying ourselves secure whilst leaning on the broken reed of selfconceit. "From our hearts spring all the ills and woe That desolate our being's high estate; So let us train our souls until they glow With virtue and with love, rejecting hate." A short address was delivered before the Council of Deliberation, on Charity, by Ill. ·. Russell S. Taft, 32°, whose remarks were received with marked favor and attention. The practice of having some one Illustrious Brother address each Council of Deliberation on a chosen subject seems to me very desirable, and I trust that the practice will prevail in future years, In conclusion, and with feelings of regret, I am obliged to ask the Supreme Council to relieve me from the important duties of Deputy for the District of Vermont. During the time I have held that honorable and responsible position, it has been my humble yet zealous endeavor to promote the best interests of the Rite in this District. My reason for preferring this request arises from the fact, that owing to a change in business relations, I am called outside the District during a portion of the year, and I am unwilling that the prosperity of the Kite should be impaired or suffer in the least from absence or apparent negligence on my part. I would refer, once more, to the present satisfactory condition of the Rite in Vermont. So long as matters remained in an unsettled condition, having begun the work, I did not wish to give up until it was finished. The Rite is now fully established, and the different Bodies throughout the State in thorough working order; so that I trust the Supreme Council will accede to my request, and appoint some other Illustrious Brother to the position of Deputy, who can give his continuous, undivided attention to the duties of the office. Permit me to express my grateful thanks to the Supreme Council for the high honors which have been conferred upon me in the past-honors of which I am deeply sensible. In closing, I return my sincere thanks to the following Ill.. Brethren, who have rendered me valuable assistance during the past year, namely: Hon. Levi Underwood, 32°; Hon. Geo. H. Bigelow, 32°; Col. Wm. Brinsmaid, 32°; Ill.. Rob. J. Wright, 32°; Ill.. H. L. Johonnot, 32°; Ill.. Geo. J. Stannard, 32°; Ill.. Sayles Nichols, 32°; Ill.. Homer M. Phelps, 18°; and others, who have been ever ready to assist me in carrying out the requirements of the Supreme Council. All of which is respectfully submitted, GEO. O. TYLER, 33°, Deputy for Vermont. MASSACHUSETTS. BOSTON, July 31, 1877. To M.. P... JOSIAH H. DRUMMOND, 33°, Sovereign Grand (ommander of the Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, United States of America: The work of the Ancient Accepted Rite has proceeded quietly in the District of Massachusetts during the past year, with results which, in view of the great depression of all business interests, will satisfy the reasonable expectations of all concerned. |