E. H. ADDINGTON

ON FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. 23
ILLINOIS, 1910.
The Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Albert B. Ashley, said in his Address:
'' We have seven hundred and eighty Lodges and over one hundred
thousand members. The wants and requirements emanating from so
large a brotherhood make exacting demands upon the one on whom you
have placed the responsibility of executive action during the past year.
This has brought much labor and many anxious moments. So extensive
have been my duties that it has required my entire time and energy for
their discharge. It has been a cheerful service, because it was a labor of
love. During the year we have passed the one hundred thousand mark
in membership. "While bigness is not always goodness, yet, when proper
care and scrutiny have been exercised at the ballot box and by committees
of investigation, we properly take pride in our large membership,
the largest with one exception upon the American continent and
the third largest on earth.
"It is cause for congratulation that peace, harmony and prosperity
prevail among the Lodges and Brethren of our great State.
"In addition to this, our relations with the seventy-oue Grand
Lodges, with which we are in fraternal correspondence, are most cordial
and friendly. Nothing has arisen to mar that harmony which is the
strength and support of all institutions, especially ours."
The mine disaster at Cherry seemed to call for large assistance. The
Grand Master asked it and there was received $6,535.24. But only
seventy dollars was needed;'the balance was invested, and at the date
of the report eighty-five dollars had been received from '' interest on
deposit.'' So that the committee were able to make the very unusual
statement that they had on hand more than they had received.
The Grand Treasurer, E. W. Bro. Leroy A. Goddard, reported as
having a balance on hand of $64,443.10, being some eleven thousand
dollars more than on the occasion of his last annual report.
Eecognition was refused to the Grand Lodge of Egypt.
A proposition received its first reading, and was deferred under the
rules until next year, whereby a tax of twenty-five cents per capita
would be levied for the purpose of raising funds for the erection of a
permanent meeting place for the Grand Lodge. This would give an
income of about $25,000 a year for the object.
The Committee on Chartered Lodges found a total membership of
101,692, being a net gain during the year of 5,703.
No action was take,n in respect to the several Grand Lodges in
Mexico.
The Oration was delivered by E. W. Bro. Frank G. Smith. In the
material building, he said, there comes first the dream of the architect;
then the revelation of the dream; then materialization of the scheme,
the accomplishment of which is dependent upon the skill and the fidelity
of the workmen. So, said he, is it with the spiritual building of human
character. The dream and the revelation of the Divine Architect are
without fault or blemish. The realization of the construction of the