I . W. GRAND LOlMiK ^licitnt, /ice, Mb ^cttptei SElasons, A i/ro \

arkness—the receding gloom of superstition and error's night, scattering in
joyous pathway, the glorious principle of an Universal Brotherhood
men.
• Committee gather from the proceedings of our Sister Grand Lodges
only excepted) every thing calculated to cheer us onward ; each of
we not<strong>ice</strong> in the order of their reception.
ALABAMA.
the Grand Lodge comes up the cheerful response, that " all is well."
.nnual Communication was holden in the city of Montgomery, December
M. W. David Clopton, Grand Master,
the eloquent address of the Grand Master we take the following :
It is my privilege to congratulate you upon the continued usefulness and
srity of our honored Institution, not only within the jurisdiction of
Grand Lodge, but in every part of the civilized world. The fires of
ft•r.s.'cution have burned down, opposition it may be said, has ceased, and
Freemasonry rejo<strong>ice</strong>s in the ' even tenor of its way.' Its star is in the ascendant,
and thousands, with glad hearts, turn their eyes to it as the star of
hope, amid the darkness and gloom of the misfortunes and adversities of life.
Wherever civilization and Christianity have gone, Freemasonry has accompanied
the train. It is fulfilling its destiny, liberalizing and humanizing
mankind. Grand Lodges have been organized in California and Oregon, and
now we receive the cordial greeting of our Brotherhood from these, the
youngest of all our sister Grand Lodges, wh>h are engaged in diffusing tho
sacred principles among the mass of human beings who are crowding the
shores of the Pacific. The Masonic arch now spans our country—its canopy
extends from Ocean to Ocean. But few discordant notes have broken in to
di-tiirb the harmony which otherwise universally prevails, and a fraternal
at d conciliatory "pirit has j>en aded the action of the different Grand Lodges.
« ith all these, I am happy to report that the Grand Lodge of Alabama
B Ids friendly intercourse and sustains the most amicable relations."
instance showing the unselfishness of Masonic Charity, he says :
1 . some brethren applied for and obtained from the Grand Mas-
of Texas, n 1» •]sjasaj • n | > oj>en and hold a Lodge at Panama. The
ol iect of these brethren in thus forming themselves into a Masonic Body,
w s to effect an organisation, by means of which t> administer aid, comfort
, I r..n-(,lution to those Masons who might be thrown uj«ni the Isthmus in
i lest itute condition. In February ef last year, resolutions were adopted by
tl is Lodge, reque-i ' t u i-ruii Lodge of Texas to declare Panama a Mast
iio Missionary Station. How novel the idea, and yet, what a noble phi-
11 ithr ] i II •» ; - '• i -i. i •' mi rt : It presents a new pha«e of
N ssonie chsrity, and will constitute an era in the history of our Institution.
Ti uly is it entitled to the sympathy and encouragement of all good Masons,
and is a bright manifestation of the excellence of our principles."
And he concludes by saying:
•J Finally, my brethren, let as remember in sll our delibs.ations. that we
have high and lofty ends to accomplish—that it is our province to 'spread