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

Masonic science and education; every year brings us fresh proofs that Malonry
is fulfilling a Divine Mission by bar Samaritan efforts in the tame
if Benevolent* and Charity, as well as In the diffusion of general knowledge;
ire believe the following extracts from Grand Master Douglass's address,
trill not prove unacceptable to this Grand Lodge, he says—' the sphere of
Masonry is as broad as humanity itself, and where the true interests of
nan are to be found, there should the Mason be seen in his round of duties,
.nd in no other manner can those interests be better supported than by pro­
moting too cause of education. I n England, Germany, Denmark and
ion, under the ausp<strong>ice</strong>s of Masonry, schools have been established,
i rhich eh have furnished the lights of education and knowledge to thousands
c f poo tor but worthy children, who else might hare suffered in indigence, igner-
t ace and i want. One of the schools alone in Germany, in the space of live
years, educated eleven hundred children in the elements of knowledge, and
the principles of morality and virtue. I n other countries, and especially
in England, muoh has been done; and I have the pleasure to say that
many, and I believe moat of our Grand Lodges in these United States have
taken decisive measures in regard to education; and I am proud to add,
that Florida is not entirely behind the age in this matter, she has taken
steps, the tendency of which is to cause all tho children of deceased Muster
Masons to be educated at the expense of th* Fraternity. Let Schools and
Literary Institutions be established and promoted, (and especially, for the
education of the children of deceased worthy Master Masons left destitne by
their parents.) let good Masonic Libraries be annexed to them for the use
of the scholars, members of the fraternity, and all others who may be dis­
posed to read our books, under such reasonable rules and regulation! as
mould govern such Libraries. Let the valuable Masonic periodicals now
published in various parts of our country bo well patronized, their journals
rfi aula tod, and much will have been done to remove the evil which misre-
pr» isentation and prejud<strong>ice</strong> have thrown over the eyes of our enemies. Much
J
this prejud<strong>ice</strong>, doubtless, results from a lack of information respecting the
Dry, philosophy and general principles of our Order; and it must be eon-
M i a most deplorable state of ignorance prevails, not only outside
iota, bat among a vary large portion of its own members. When
i shall be dissipated by the light of Masonic science and liter-
icn the world comes to learn that Masonry exists in every country
bitablo globe where civilization prevails, and even in some (though
an imperfect state) in savage life; when it is further shown that
have had a common origin, aad sprung from on* original source of
it, whence it flowed out in the earlier ages of the world, lib* a system of
centric circles diverging from a common centre, diffusing light and Ufa
harmony and love, when all else would have been darkness, discord,
at rod and death, a different estimate will be placed by mankind upon oar
valued aad venerated Institution."
They give us the following passing not<strong>ice</strong>:
" X W report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, although brief,