influence upon the Fraternity wheresoever dispersed. Knowing somewhat of Masonry, and acquainted as I am with many of you, I feel it to be altogether unnecessary to remind you of those principles of our order, so essential to be observed in the prosecution of the business of this body; essential to its well-being and to a happy termination of its labors. Masons pre-eminently love order and harmony; and I doubt not you will enter upon the accomplishment of the work before you, with a prevailing disposition and a steady determination in all you say and do, to have regard to the excellent tenets of our institution: "to love as brethren; to be kindly affectionate one to another, in honor preferring one another." Union is the very soul of our associated being; selfishness, at war and incompatible with the genius and spirit of Masonry. Ambition and rivalry we know not, "except that noble emulation of who can best work and best agree." While we deliberate a few days together, my brethren, let us exemplify in our conduct these interesting traits of Masonry.

"Your officers, however deficient they may be in Masonic knowledge, and although aware of their constant liability to err, being those of your own choice, will look to you for that generous confidence which Masons only know how to bestow; and will expect your aid and support so long as they shall evince rectitude of intention, and a sincere desire to discharge their respective duties according to their best abilities. Happily, experience has taught us not to expect this in vain.

"Since your last annual meeting, I have granted dispensations for the formation of new Lodges at Warsaw, Carthage, Macomb, Chicago, Nauvoo and Pekin, in this State; at Keokuk, Iowa; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin Territory. The papers connected with these proceedings will be laid before you by the G. Secretary, for your inspection; and it will be for you to determine whether the authority granted by either of these dispensations shall now cease, or be confirmed by a permanent grant in the nature of a charter.

"The committee appointed by you to visit Nauvoo for the purpose of inquiring into certain irregularities alleged to have been committed by the Lodge there, after discharging the duty assigned them, made a report to me, concluding with a recommendation that their dispensation be continued. Accordingly, in compliance with what appeared to me, under these circumstances, to be the wish of the Grand Lodge, as implied in the resolution appointing said committee, I restored to them their dispensation. The authority therein granted now ceases, and the whole matter is again before the Grand Lodge, upon their application for a charter. This subject has heretofore excited no little discussion both in and out of this body, and the action of the Grand Lodge in reference to it has been made the object of much animadversion, criticism, and remark. Several communications from eminent and honored names in Masonry, have been addressed to me, calling in question the correctness of the course pursued by you in relation to this subject, and strongly protesting against the prudence and propriety of allowing a Masonic Lodge to exist in Nauvoo. I call your attention to these facts, solely for the purpose of suggesting that justice to our Nauvoo brethren, courtesy and respect for those who object to our past conduct towards them, and a proper regard for the good opinion and welfare of the Fraternity at large, alike require that every step of your proceedings in this matter should be marked by the utmost care, caution, and deliberation. Whatever may be your decision, be entirely satisfied that it is right and proper; overstepping no ancient landmark, and altogether congenial with the spirit, and conformable to the universally acknowledged principles of our Order. Should you finally determine to grant a charter to Nauvoo Lodge, and thus perpetuate its existence, I would suggest the propriety, nay, the absolute necessity, of dividing it into at least four, if not more, distinct Lodges. The number of its members is entirely too large for convenience in working, and is otherwise objectionable; a fact of which they are themselves aware. A short time ago they applied to me to divide them into several distinct Lodges; but as this application was made at a period very near to our annual meeting, I thought it proper to wait and refer the whole matter, as I now do, to the Grand Lodge.