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1850.] Grand Lodge of Illinois. 645<br />
Resolved, That the printing of the proceedings of this session be given<br />
to Bro. Pickett.<br />
There being no further business, the Throne of Grace was addressed by<br />
the R. W. G. Chaplain, and the M. W. G. Lodge closed in due form.<br />
There appearing no further business before the Grand Lodge, after the<br />
reception of the reports and proceedings of the last annual session, it closed<br />
in due form and harmony.<br />
Since the adjournment of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Secretary<br />
has received the following report:<br />
To the M. IV. G. Lodge of the State of Illinois:<br />
CHICAGO, October, A. L. 5849, A. D. 1849.<br />
The committee to whom was referred " The Masonic Text Book," &c.<br />
by Bro. John Dove, G. S. of the M. W. G. L. of the State of Virginia, would<br />
beg leave respectfully to report, that they have had the same under consideration,<br />
and have given to the work as much time as could be spared from<br />
more important duties to the Craft, though not as much as they could have<br />
wished.<br />
As the result of their examination your committee would state that in<br />
their opinion there already existed previous to the publication of the work<br />
before them a sufficient, if not too great, a number of works professing to be<br />
text books of Masonry, and that the issue of a still greater number should be<br />
rather discountenanced than encouraged. A sufficient reason for this opinion<br />
is found in the fact, that to produce any thing differing from woVks of<br />
that kind now in use, would necessitate either a departure from established<br />
usage in the work of the Craft, or that additions should be made which<br />
could only be effected by publishing portions of the unwritten texts of our<br />
Order. That either would be objectionable and contrary to our ancient<br />
landmarks, no good Mason will deny.<br />
The committee cannot pronounce the work before them free from either<br />
of these objections. Every intelligent Mason will discover the objectionable<br />
passages without difficulty. The instances are not numerous, but where<br />
they do not occur the matter contained may in general be found, with but few<br />
exceptions, in other works with which the Craft are already familiar. They<br />
would recommend the work, however, as a good methodical compilation of<br />
useful knowledge, worthy of perusal and convenient for reference.
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