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

in an association like ours, must and ought to be very groat, and powerfully
iffect its destiny. Wise and prudent counsels alone will lead to good results
—all others will be destructive in their tendencies."
In reference to the granting of dispensations to take the degrees, tho
" I doem it my duty to call the earnest attention of tho Grand Lodge to
in opinion, I fear too general, and which is sometimes carried out in prac<strong>ice</strong>.
It seems to me that tho regulation requiring the lap^e of one month
o intervene before action is had upon petitions for initiation oradvancuent
ought to be rigidly enforced. I have had, though announcing here at
he last meeting of tho Grand Lodge, my fixed determination not to grant
( ispensations, unless in eases of most manifest emergency, very numerous
i pplications for such dispensations. Borne of them stated no reason at all
- -some o< them asked an abrogation the rule mtirely, 1 f re-pies ting an
open dispensation to be filled up at pleasure, and somo of them were based
npon what I conceived to bo a violation of Masonic propriety. As some of
these may agiin occur, I will state them. They said that the applicant had
resided long in their vicinity—was a gentlciran of good character, and had
lately determined to go California, or some other distant section of the country,
upon a business excursion, or for purposes of settlement, and before ho
went was desirous of receiving the degrees of Masonry. Xow. I am slow to
impute improper motives to men, but it struck mo very forcibly that such a
man would come awkwardly to a Lodgo seeking admission and declaring
that he was uninflueseed by motives of self-interest, but prompted by a di -
sire to assist in the great design of the institution, arising from a favorable
opinion, long conceived or maintained, of its excellence. I thought, probably,
that he was waiting until he saw how Masonry would be directly benefi.
ial to himself, in his contemplated journeyings, or, if indeed a higher moti
i% indassd net ion, long delayed, ho would be rather unskilled to be sent oat
si a missionary. Such applications, entertaining the views I did, I could not
Iwhich your committee most heartily concur. He concludes by
the umbrageous branches of our treo of liberty, planted in tho
of this western continent, and watered by the blood of our fathers,
counsels are written upon every leaf, we have enjoyed, in freedom
re, the pursuit of onr own happiness, according to the dictates of
clinations, as a right inalienable, and above the power of all, ex-
ws we make ourselves, and our responsibility to the ultimate tri­
be August Majesty who presides over the Universe. But this is
kindest sympathies, and affectionate regard, expressed as occasion
nt, in no unmeaning phraseology. Let it be oars so to rear in
beauty, magnif<strong>ice</strong>nce, and strength, the great pillars of intelli-
gvn e and virtue which support onr system, thai perpetuity and perfection