NE YEAR ago I was accorded by this Grand Lodge what then appeared to me the grandest honor that could be conferred upon a member of our fraternity. I have discovered no reason since for changing that opinion, and today I desire to extend to you a cordial fraternal greeting, and render to you an account of my work during the past year. I have endeavored to meet each responsibility promptly and fairly as it was presented, and if mistakes have been made, and I doubt not there have, I can only say that they were errors of the head and not of the heart. At times I have not hesitated to turn to brothers in whose judgment and legal acumen I had perfect confidence, and in every instance have found them as "willing to give as I was to receive," and rough spots were made smooth. To the Grand Secretary's office especially am I under obligations for information and favors rendered. The true spirit of Masonry has been shown at all times and under all circumstances by the members of the craft over whom I have had the honor to preside. Not an unkind or discourteous sentence or word has been either written or spoken to me during the year, and my humble efforts have been, so far as my knowledge extends, accepted in the same spirit as that which prompted them. The brethren have exercised that forbearance which is one of the beautiful tenets of Masonry, and thus assisted very materially in making the experience one that will remain a pleasant memory unto the last. Statistics given elsewhere will show that Masonry was prosperous in this Grand Jurisdiction during the year, and there is much to be pleased with in the record that has been written. As a general proposition peace and harmony have prevailed throughout the jurisdiction, and neither discord nor strife of any serious nature has found a place upon our carpet. To say, however, that there has been no diversity of opinion among the brethren and lodges, or differences in constructions placed upon the laws, would be a strong intimation that the craft in Iowa had either been asleep during the year, or had risen entirely above the plane mortal man is supposed to occupy. With five hundred lodges and almost thirty thousand bright, energetic Masons, each thinking, acting, judging for himself, it is but natural that minor differences should arise, but when all such differences and grievances, whether real or imaginary, are reconciled and adjusted in the proper spirit, and in a manner that leaves perfect harmony in the lodge, it is the true test of Masonry, and that is the condition that has existed among our lodges. NECROLOGY. "There is no death! The stars go down And bright in heaven's jewelled crown Words could not more truthfully portray the Masonic conception of the transition called death. Believing the tenets. of our beloved order, we must accept it as the will of "Him who doeth all things well"-simply a change from this transitory existence to a "place of endless duration." Yet the tears and sorrow of loved ones, the breaking of fraternal ties, and the blighting of fond hopes will ever cause us to stand with uncovered heads, bowed by sorrow and grief, when in the presence of death. It ever has been, ever will be, and, doubtless, is for the best and highest interests of humanity. It is the occasion in the lives of all when worldly thoughts are for the moment cast aside, the mind is at rest from the cares of earthly affairs, and the entire being in harmony with the spiritual rather than the natural body. Human pride is humbled and earthly vanity crumbles into dust when we stand by the mortal remains of a loved one and seriously consider the utter emptiness and delusion of this life. If we improve the opportunity and profit by the experience there` is a sweetness in the sorrow; the sadness vanishes until it is blended with the glorious promises of the hereafter, and the burden rests more lightly upon the shoulders of the stricken when they know that "all is well." During the past year death has invaded the ranks of the Past Grand Officers of this Grand Lodge, and two familiar forms have fallen by the wayside. We will miss them, and mourn that we shall meet them no more in the walks of life, yet each had passed the allotted "three-score-years-and-ten" by several years, and we bow in submission to the will of the "Supreme Grand Master of the universe." The life's history and eulogy of our departed brothers will be fittingly written and presented to you by the proper committee, hence I will make but brief mention of each at this time. WILLIAM ALOYSUS COLTON. On the 12th of November, 1899, Brother William Aloysus Colton, Past Grand Treasurer, passed to the higher life after many years of usefulness here below. Brother Colton was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, May 21st, 1826, and died at his home in Columbus Junction, at the time above stated. A wife and two sons are left to mourn the death of a loving husband and indulgent father. A high tribute was paid to the memory of the deceased by the local press, and the funeral services were conducted from the Presbyterian church, November 14th. A good man has gone to meet the "reward consequent upon a well spent life." EDWARD AUGUSTUS GUILBERT. Few brothers were better known among the Masons of this Grand Jurisdiction, up to the time of his retirement, a few years ago, than was Past Grand Master Edward Augustus Guilbert, who passed away at his home, in Dubuque, on the 4th day of March, 1900, after a long and painful illness. In accordance with the request of the home lodge, I did convene the Grand Lodge of Iowa in emergent session, at Dubuque, on the 7th of March, for the purpose of conducting funeral services over the remains of Brother Guilbert, and I was ably assisted in the work by Brother W. E. Randall, Junior Grand Warden; Rev. W. A. Shanklin, Grand Chaplain; N. R. Parvin, Deputy Grand Secretary, and by the Masters and brethren of the several Dubuque lodges. Services were held at the hall of Dubuque Lodge, No. 3, Rev. Brother Shanklin, Grand Chaplain, pronouncing a fitting eulogy over the remains of our departed brother, after which they were deposited in their last resting-place in Linwood. cemetery, with the usual Masonic ceremonies-Siloam Commandery acting as escort. In the prime of his life Brother Guilbert was an active, enthusiastic Mason, having at various times filled the offices of Grand Master, Grand Commander, and Grand High Priest. In those days he was a strong man, fearless and eloquent in the advocacy of the cause he espoused; forceful and decisive in his arguments, he was an antagonist worthy the steel of any man, and one who neither gave nor asked for quarters in debate. Let us emulate those traits of his life and character that are worthy of emulation, and cast about the others, if any there be, the "broad mantle of Masonic charity." And while we drop the silent tear in memory of our departed brothers, may we not confidently hope that-- "The eye that shuts in a dying hour, Will open the next in bliss; The welcome will sound in the heavenly world, CHARTERED LODGES. The annual returns of the lodges for the past year show that Masonry in this Grand Jurisdiction is not only in a healthy, prosperous condition, but that very satisfactory improvements are noted in various ways. The returns were received by the Grand Secretary more promptly than usual, and while the errors were numerous, much more so than they should have been, thus throwing a vast amount of labor upon the chairman of the Committee on Chartered Lodges, the Masters were more prompt in making the necessary corrections, and an exact balance was again made between this Grand Lodge and each subordinate lodge in the jurisdiction. in less time than the work has heretofore been accomplished. It is gratifying to note this improvement, and it is to be devoutely hoped that it may continue until the work of the Committee on Chartered Lodges, and in the Grand Secretary's office in this line, has been reduced to the minimum. The amount of work done by the subordinate lodges during 1899 is shown by the following: The net gain in membership, eight hundred and ninetyeight, is the largest increase for a number of years past. The gain shown by the returns of 1899, was three hundred and sixty-nine, and the three previous years was four hundred and thirty-one, four hundred and thirteen, and five hundred and eighty-four, respectively. An equally satisfactory re sult is found in the steady decrease in suspensions for non |