For several years past I have been collating a file of the printed journals of every Grand Lodge throughout the world, and this year have been enabled to perfect them. I have been greatly aided in this by Bro. C. B. Tillinghast, of Boston, and Bro. J. Norwood Clark, of Iowa. The work of accumulating these hundreds of journals, some of them running back thirty years, has involved an immense amount of care and research. These books embrace not only the rise and progress of the Order in every clime, from its inception to the present time, but record the growth and progress of the temperance reformation in every land, and in the future will be invaluable for reference. I have long thought the Right Worthy Grand Lodge should be in possession of such a file. I therefore have much pleasure in presenting them complete to the Right Worthy Grand Lodge, and trust it will see fit to order them bound, and placed where they will be secure from loss or fire. There is but one other collection extant, as complete and valuable as this, and that is in the state library of Massachusetts. PERSONAL AND CONCLUSION. In a few hours my work in this office will be done, and I shall have permanently vacated this seat. For four years, during every moment of my waking hours, have the cares of this Order, and how best to promote its advancement, been ever present to my mind. That a better financial tone has everywhere been imparted to it during that time; that harmony and prosperity in the main now accompany it to the very ends of the earth; that to-day it is stronger, better equipped and more aggressive than for years past, are matters which are all very patent to you. Brothers and sisters, let us keep it so. Let no step be ever taken backward. Be progressive. Continue to put into operation liberal plans. And God, whose agency for good we firmly believe our Order to be, will lead it to still greater things. And finally, I thank you all for your great kindness, and return you this trust which I have tried faithfully to keep. Fraternally submitted, F. G. KEENS, ABSTRACTS OF RETURNS. Compiled from the Return Sheets of Grand Lodges for the R. G. W. L. year ending April 30, 1884, ABSTRACT OF RETURNS-Continued. Compiled from the Return Sheets of Grand Lodges for the R. W. G. L. year ending April 30th, 1884. *These Grand Lodges have largely increased their membership since their annual sessions were held, at which date these figures were compiled From figures furnished by the Worthy Grand Secretary of the British Isles in the absence of the regular return sheet. Now working under the Worthy Grand Lodge of the British Isles. a Apparent loss caused by their absorption into new Grand Lodges. Of Subordinate Lodges that have worked under the direct jurisdiction of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge between May 1st, 1883, and May 1st, 1884, with the disposition made of said Lodges. Totten..... 22 Fort Totten..... Garfield. Relief.... 5th Cavalry.. NAVAL Neptune........ 19 Now wk'g under R. W. G. L. 24 Sackett'sHarb'r....... Transferred to G. L., N. Y. 25 Fort Sully..... 26 Fort McKinney 3 U.S.S.Richm'nd' Homeward Bound.... 4 H.M.S. Cleopatr Charter surrendered. 10 Now wk'g under R. W. G. L. 67 Now wk'g under R. W. G. L. Charter forfeited. |