A vote of thanks (on motion of Bro. Hodge), was tendered M. W. Bro. Helm, for the "able, dignified, and courteous manner" in which he presided over the deliberations of the Grand Lodge.

The following petition from Friendship Lodge was rejected:

"To the M. W. Grand Master, Wardens, and Brethren of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Illinois:

"Your petitioners, the officers and members of Friendship Lodge No. 7, respectfully represent, that in their returns to the Grand Lodge, they have reported a brother expelled from the Lodge, and they are desirous of publishing his name and description to the world themselves, and they ask leave of the R. W. Grand Lodge to do so."

The Committee on Returns and Work made an additional report, as follows, which was adopted:

"The Committee on Returns and Work of Lodges beg leave to report: That they have examined the abstract returns from Rising Sun Lodge No. 12, from which it appears that the work has been irregular, and that the return is altogether informal, and dues unpaid.

"They have also examined the abstract returns of Nauvoo Lodge, U. D., and they find the work in some measure correct, but in many instances there appear irregularities, and matters to our committee inexplicable. The Lodge has failed to bring their record before the committee, which to some of your committee, at least, is a matter of surprise, knowing, as they do, the severe lesson the said Lodge was taught at the last Grand Communication. The greatest irregularitiy of which your committee would complain is, that there appears to be a disposition to accumulate and gather members without regard to character, and to push them on through the second and third degrees, before they can be possibly skilled in the first and second. Your committee are aware that there is no by-law of this Grand Lodge to prevent this; nor are they sure that any length of probation would in all cases insure skill; but they feel certain that the ancient landmarks of the order require that the Lodge should know that the candidate is well skilled in one degree, before he is advanced to another. Your committee will not doubt but there are many worthy and skillful brethren in Nauvoo Lodge; brethren who would under other circumstances be an ornament to the institution of Masonry; but they are reassured that their influence is entirely lost and obscured by the conduct of others less worthy; nay, of those who entirely disregard the ties that should bind us together as scared a band of friends and brothers.