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law, a withdrawal card may be declared void, for good cause existing at the time of granting the card, but not discovered until after it has been delivered. in the same report they say, that the necessi ties of the case may sometimes require a N. G. to install his successor, and he is therefore compe tent to do so in the absence of the Grand Master, or his Deputy, and all P. G’s. The report was adopted. . The same committee reported against allowing the name and number of defunct Lodges to be oiven to others at the expiration ot three years. The report was adopted, and the law on that so j ject remains as laid down in Sec. S, Art. 3, Div. 3, of the Digest. The same committee reported, in reply to an inquiry whether the existing laws require a bro ther desirous of resuming membership in the order, to deposit his card in the nearest Lodge to his residence, that there is no direct law on the subject, but from the analogy ot the case, the car and should be deposited in the Lodge nearest his place of residence ; but should trie re be several Lodges at equal, or nearly equal, distances from his residence, the option in which to deposit his card would undoubtedly remain with him. The report was adopted. On the report of the same committee the fol lowing resolution was adopted: Resolved , That while this Grand Lodge recog nises the right of State Grand Lodges and En campments to instruct their Grand Representa tives in matters pertaining particularly to said Lodges and Encampments, it also deems the doc trine of instruction in matters ol interest to the entire order throughout the jurisdiction highly in expedient. And from the same committee, the following resolution : Resolved , That it shall bo the duty of the Scribe of each Subordinate Encampment to furnish to the Secretary of each Subordinate Lodge a list ol the members of said Lodge, who are also mem bers of such Encampment, and that it shall be the duty of each Secretary to advise each Scribe, within a reasonable time, of the granting of a withdrawal card to any member of his Lodge, who is also a member of such Encampment; and also of the suspension, expulsion, or reinstatement of any such member. Section 21, Art. 3, Div. 3, of the Digest was amended by inserting the words “or revived” J O after “ new” in the fourth line. The Committee on the State of the Order re ported, that a Grand Master has not only the right to examine the books of a subordinate, but as an incident to that power, he has the further right to make extracts himself, or by one appoint ed by him for that purpose. But the Grand Lodge alone has the, power to require from the subordinates copies of their proceedings. The Grand Sire, in his report, recommended to the Grand Lodge the adoption of a uniform Constitution for State Grand bodies. The sub ject was referred to a select committee, and they reported in favor of the measure. Their report concluded with a resolution “ that a committee of three be appointed to prepare and report at the next annual session of the G. L. L T . S. a form ol Constitution for all Grand Lodges, and also a form of Constitution for all Grand Encampments.” The report and resolution were considered and rejected by a vote of 37 against 35, but a recon sideration was afterwards had, and the Grand Lodge adopted the resolution by a vote of 51 against 26. A protest was entered by a few Rep resentatives. The committee consists of P. G. Sire Hopkins, Grand Secretary Ridgely and P. G. Sire Glazier. The Committee on the State of the Order, re ported that State Grand bodies have unquestion ably the power to adopt a uniform system of con stitutions for their subordinates, and the subor dinates will be bound to conform to such consti tutions. The report was adopted. The same committee reported, that “officers of subordinates are merely the executive agents of those bodies, and have no power to use the seal unless so ordered by the subordinates, or in ac cordance with positive enactments ot the several Grand bodies under whosejurisdiction they work.” The report was adopted. The same committee reported, “ that the dues to a Lodge accrue weekly, and only for the con venience of the Lodge .are paid at stated periods. It is therefore at any time the right of a brother to pay his dues —but the committee are also of opinion that, in case a brother has neglected to pay his dues for such length of time as to be de barred by the rules of his own subordinate from drawing benelits while sick, he cannot be permit ted while he continues sick, to come in and pay his dues so as to entitle himself to benefits —since an injury would be thereby inflicted on such mem bers of the Lodge as are regular in payment of their dues; the brother by his own act has com mitted wrong, and it would be improper to per mit him to derive benefit from his own negli gence.” The report was adopted. It was “resolved, that a special committee of three be appointed to report at the next session of the G. L. U. S. a form of service to be uni formly observed in laying corner-stones and ded icating Odd-Fellows’ Halls.” The committee consists of Rep. Smith, of Tennessee; Grand Secretary Ridgely, and Rep. Parmenter, of Mas sachusetts. A committee, appointed at the communication of 1847, consisting of the P. G. Sires and the Grand Secretary, reported lull instructions m 110 work of the order. The repoit was care u } considered and acted on in secret session. Ihe whole work of the order is now in cipher, and the danger of innovation is obviated. Immediately after the action on the report above mentioned, a constitutional amendment, lying over from flic session of 1347, was taken up and passed. It provides that “the unwritten work of the order (meaning the signs, gups? Ac.) shall in no wise be altered or amended except by unanimous vote of the G. L. U. S.; and the written work of the order (meaning the lectures, charges, &c. &c.) shall in no wise be altered or amended except with the concurrence of four-fifths of the mem bers of said Grand Lodge.” During the communication information was re ceived from the Grand Lodge of Maryland, through three of her P. G. Masters, to the effect that the venerable founder of the order, Thomas Wildey, was involved in pecuniary ruin. The order in Maryland had devoted a proper degree of attention to the consideration of the subject, and a few of the prominent members of her Grand Lodge had interposed their personal responsibili ty to prevent the immediate execution of the pro cess of the law. The Maryland branch of the order might possibly have saved the property of Mr. Wildey, by their own exertions, but as the fact of his embarrassment became known only a. short time before the session of the G. L. U. S. they very properly determined to lay the. whole matter before that body. The G. L. U. S. refer red the Maryland communication to a select com mittee. The committee endeavored to discharge their duty faithfully. They inquired into the fact of Mr. Wildey’s ruin, and they ascertained that but for the generous interposition of a few members ofthe order, his house would have been sold over his head, and he would have been turned into the streets to starve, or to become the miserable object of a precarious charity. The committee, out of an abundance of information, then calculated the amount of his debts and the value of his property. They found that, in hands able to hold it, his property would be equal to his debts. They then turned their attention to his relief, and after much labor and consultation with the near friends of Mr. Wildey, they pre pared a scheme which they submitted to the G. L. U. S. The Grand Lodge nobly responded, and the recommendations oi the committee were adopted by a vote of 63 against 8. The plan of the committee, so adopted, provided for the im mediate rescue of Mr. Wildey, but as the com mittee did not believe that it was either necessary or proper for the G. L. U. S. (whose resources are annually diminishing) to make an absolute gift !o Mr. Wildey of the sum required to save him, they recommended such arrangements as would amount to a loan to him of about SB,OOO, on good security. But it was deemed proper, and so the plan of the committee went on to provide, that (lie fraternity at large should be advised in the most authentic way, of the embarrassment from which the G. L. U. S. had rescued Mr. Wildey, and die conditions which had necessarily attended the relief extended by the Grand Lodge. It was confidently expected that the heart of the order would feel the appeal, and that from all sections of the country, contributions would flow in, the incumbrances transferred to - the G. L. U. S. be paid off, the property of Mr. Wildey he restored to him, discharged from the claim even of his new and friendly creditor, and the good old man be sent in the evening of his life to repose among the quiet scenes for which he longed. That ex pectation has been utterly disappointed. The action of the G. L. U. S. has been singularly mis apprehended. But the Grand Lodge will enjov the consolation of having saved the life of him who gave life to her, for we use no inflated ex pression, when we assure you that, according to our honest belief, Mr. Wildey would have died of a broken heart, but for the relief so honorably afforded by the G. L. U. S. at the critical moment of his fate. And the Grand Lodge may congrat ulate herself that when she took her founder by the hand and ministered to his necessities, she was enabled to separate him from the humble calling in which he had passed his life, and to remove from her escutcheon the single stain left there by Thomas Wildey. Nor need she fear that she has established a precedent which will be dangerous. Looking at what she has done in the cold light of commercial calculation, a prudent man would pronounce her investment judicious. But when it is remembered that the man she saved, laid her foundations, without money and without price ; when it is recollected that but for him her halls might never have known her mvs teries, her orphans might have starved, her wid ows might have perished; when it is borne in mind that the title by which he is known and honored not only in the proud country from which w r e derive our fraternal institutions, but throughout the civilized world, is that of “ founder and father of American Odd-Fellowship when it is made to appear that he fell into trouble, not by prodi gality or sloth, but because the very position he held in Odd-Fellowship made him a shining mark for the applications of his distressed children, and because he could never turn his back on such claims; when all these things are taken into the account, the scrutinizer will find that the G. L. U. Ss, in the act we are considering, did nothing but her simple duty. Arid those who tear the danger of the precedent may rest satisfied that when the grave shall close over Thomas Wildey, no man will be left upon the earth, whose ser vices to Odd-Fellowship can justify the citation of this case as a precedent for similar relief. Your Representatives have alluded to this sub ject at greater length than they intended, but they feel that they offer an apology which you will consider ample, when the} r refer to the un generous assaults which have been made upon the whole scheme for the relief of Mr. Wildey, and when they remind you of the deep personal interest which they felt in this measure. Among other occurrences of interest, a Repre sentative appeared on the floor of the G. L. U. S. from the branch of the order which flourishes among the civilized inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands* and a special envoy was commissioned to scatter the germs of the order along the coasts ol California and Oregon. According to previously enacted laws, the mem bers of the G. L. U. S. were divided into classes, one to hold their seats for another communica tion, the other to retire at the end of the commu nication then in progress. When the lots of Georgia were cast, P. G. M. Anderson drew the two years term. The seat of his colleague is therefore vacant. By reason of this and other circumstances, the long connection which has sub sisted between your late Representative and your selves, in the relative character of officer and con stituency, is forever dissolved. To him that con nection has always afforded peculiar pleasure, and now that he is seperated from it, he looks back with deep emotion on the repeated proofs of your generous confidence. Pie is forbidden hereafter to serve you, and he can receive at your hands no additional distinction, but he will carry with him through life grateful remembrances of your unremitting kindness, and earnest desires for the prosperity of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, and the happiness of her individual members. Respectfully submitted, BOBERT H. GRIFFIN, JOHN W. ANDERSON. The undersigned Representative, would fur ther add to the report, the pleasing and gratifying intelligence that a member of this jurisdiction was elected Giand Sire of the United States. P. G. M. Robert H. Griffin. JOHN W. ANDERSON. r I he Grand Lodge went into secret session, and P. G. Warden Patten instructed the members in the unwritten work of the order. R. W. G rand Representative Anderson pre-j seated, on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Mas sachusetts, the first volume of their proceedings. Roll of Lodges called. Representative Knight of Franklin Lodge No. 2, presented an inquiry from said Lodge, which was read and referred to the Judicial Committee. Re p re sen tat ive Patt en of Un i ted Broth e r s Lod £e No. 5, presented the manuscript by-laws of Hol combe Lodge No. 30 ; also a resolution relative to funeral regalia, which was referred to the Legis lative Committee. Representative Woodruff of Muscogee Lodge No. 0, presented an inquiry relative to benefits, which was referred to the Judicial Committee. Representative Conley of Washington Lodge No. 7, presented a communication from P. G. Charles Catliu, which was received and referred to the Judicial Committee. Representative Oliver of'Williams Lodge No. 15, presented a request from said Lodge for a copy of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the United States, which was granted. Representative Woodruff of Muscogee Lodge No. 6, offered the following amendment to section 2, article 3. After the word “meeting,” in 7th line, insert—“ At which time they may also elect one alternate for each Representative elected, who shall be empowered to fill all vacancies that may occur from whatever cause.” Also, an amendment to section 1, art. 5, by striking out the word “officers” in the fifth line, and inserting “Lodge is convened.” These amendments were seconded bv Renrc sentative Conley of Washington Lodge No. 7. Representative Jossey of Warren Lodge No. 20, offered the following amendment to sec. ], art. 9: Strike out “Savannah,” and insert “Ma con.” Seconded by Representatives Webster, of Muscogee Lodge No. 26, and Hyneman of Cen tral Lodge No. 28. The Executive Committee made the folio wine report, which was received and adopted: The Executive Committee report, that they have examined the reports of the Grand Treasu rer and Grand Secretary, and find them correct. They have also examined the Grand Master’s report, and find but two subjects which properly come before them. Ist. The surplus funds. It will be seen that the receipts of the Grand Lodge have fallen off nearly four hundred dollars in the last six months, and as we have no reason to sup pose it will be increased the next, or that the ex penses will be less, they therefore recommend that all the funds on hand, after the expenses of this session are paid, be invested, and would re commend the following resolution: Resolved , That the Grand Secretary be in- , structed to invest in the Central Railroad and 1 Banking Company’s 8 per cent, stock, all the funds of this Grand Lodge. Your Committee would recommend that the constitution be rigidly enforced in relation to Lodges not making their returns. Neglect i 0 ,1 so has caused a great deal of inconvenience ° the Grand officers in getting their returns re- !° for the Grand Lodge of the United States and 7 the installing officers do their duty, there i 5 * further legislation required. The only subject in the Grand Repress lives’ report requiring the attention of your(\ mittee, is the subject of uniform constitution” and we believe that each State Grand Lo(B e ‘’ the best judge of their own wants. We th, - fore recommend the following resolution : Resolved , That our Representatives to the Grand Lodges the United States be requested to vote against the nek'! of a uniform constitution for the different Grand Lodge, account of its being inexpedient. J. R. JOHNSON, Chairman The following reports were received from the Judicial Cu mittee, and adopted: The Judicial Committee, to whom wa3 referred thorn, t . rial of certain members of United Brothers Lodge No. 5T* O. O. F. relative to alleged abuses and usurpations of po w ! by R. P. Guyard, then the Noble Grand of said Lodge, J! leave to report: That the subject must be regarded in a double asp ort First, as to the conduct of Brother Guyard as the presidinJ officer of the Lodge ; and, secondly, as to his treatment of tjjJ District Deputy Grand Master. The latter may first bt • posed of. Obedience to authority is the corner-stone of every w, regulated institution, and without it our beloved order wo-;. be broken into factions, and its usefulness utterly destroyei These remarks at once exhibit the opinions of your Commit! tee on the subject of the conduct of Brother Guyard to tb District Deputy Grand Master. It is manifest that Brother Guyard must have known the official character of Brother Patten, and respect and obedience were due to him in the legitimate exercise of his authority. That he did not dcrnai the honors due to his rank, is a mark of his modestv, ai should have elicited approval, rather than havo provoked insult and resistance. The charges against Brother Guyard, ns tlio Noble Grab of the Lodge, are of a grave character, and unless rebuke; and checked by the Grand Lodge would convert the office of Noble Grand into an absolute tyranny. Ho is charged with refusing to put the question to the Lodge when an appeal had been taken from a decision made by him ; With refusing to submit a motion to the Lodge regulars made, because he deemed it unconstitutional; With bringing before the Lodge, for reversal, that which had been decided by the Lodge, and which it lmd refused to reconsider; With affixing the seal of the Lodge to a communication over his official signature, without warrant from the Lodge; And finally, with refusing to sign checks for the payment of money ordered by the Lodge. These charges are not denied, but, on the contrary, are vindicated on the ground that the action of the Lodge was unconstitutional. We do not say that cases may not ariseio which a Noble Grand would be warranted in throwing him self between the fundamental laws of our order, and the rash action of a Lodge, but your Committee see no such necessity in the present case. On the contrary, they 7 can find nothing in the circumstances of the case, or the by-laws of the Lodge, to warrant the conduct of Brother Guyard. Lt meets with the unqualified disapproval of the Committee Your Committee deem it proper thus to express its opinion, in the hope that it may exercise a salutary influence on the order, by restraining the exercise of unwarranted power on the one hand, and inculcating obedience and respect on the other. “SOLOMON COHEN, Ch’n. The Judicial Committee, to whom was referred the com munication of the Representative from Franklin Lodge No. 2, beg leave to report, that the decision of the Lodge relative to the giving of benefits was correct. Your Committee further report, that a member is entitled to his scat in the Lodge, until he litis been excluded by sump definite action of the body, but that the Noble Grand may re fuse the semi-annual password to a member in arrears, if the same be warranted by the by-laws, but not otherwise. SOLOMON COHEN. The Judicial Committee, to whom was referred the iuqn ries from Muscogee Lodge, report: That a suspended brother is not entitled to any of the ben efits of tho Lodge, but that personal service and nttendunc? may be extended to him, as a matter of favor and kindness. They further report, that a by-law may suspend a member from receiving benefits, hut can not act as a suspension in the meaning of section 8, article 5, of the Constitution for Subor dinate Lodges. SOLOMON j Representative Woodruff offered the following preamble and resolution, which were adopted : Whereas, bv the action of the Grand Lodge of the United States, at its fast communication, it appears that tho State j Grand Lodges have power to permit their Subordinates to hold meetings less frequently than once a week ; and where** it also appears that in many instances, under this jurisdiction, ‘ it is inconvenient and almost impracticable for Lodges to mod ; once a week— Be it therefore Resolved , That the Grand Master be, and he is hereby authorized in his discretion, to issue dispensations, permitting Lodges to meet seiyi-monthly, or monthly, as' ll each particular case he may deem most desirable; provided, nevertheless, that no officer in any Lodge holding such a dis pensation. be allowed the honors of a Past officer, until helm ß served twenty-six nights in the particular offices, any tiling in the constitution of subordinates under this jurisdiction to the contrary hereof notwithstanding. On motion, the Grand Lodge adjourned until half P ast ** o’clock, P. M. HALF PAST 3 o’clock, P. M. t SAVANNAH, JUNK 7, 1849. J Tho grand lodge met pursuant to adjournment. The following report from the Legislative Committee v.a received and adopted : Resolved, That the regalia of the I. O. O. F. be worn M stead of the funeral regalia, as prescribed by this Grand I on funeral occasions. Respectfully submitted. B. CONLET. | The following report from the Executive Committee. wK \ received and adopted : The Executive Committee reported sundry bills i amounting to SBO3 75. The Grand Lodge then proceeded to the election of tits ; j officers for the ensuing year, which resulted as follows : P.G. E. PARSONS, M. W. Grand Master. P. G. M. WOODRUFF, R. W. D. Grand Master. P. G. .T. A. KNIGHT, M. IF Grand Warden. P. G. J. N. LEWIS, R. W. Grand Secretary. P. G. J. P, COLLINS, R. W. Grand Treasurer. P.G. S. COHEN, R. W, Grand Representative. The Grand Lodge then proceeded to the election of Str ing Committees, and the following was the result: _ Legislative Committee. —P. G. Master Anderson, Chain 0 *! j P. G’s Patten, Johnson, Webster, O. P. Felt, Hynenw DBa f Davidson. p I Executive Committee. —P. G. H. A. Crane, Cbairw B®’ 8 ®’ j G’s Kempton, Carswell. Jossey, Bivins, Fish and J. * Person. Judicial Committee — P. G. S. Cohen, Chairman; **. Adams, Posey, Wing, Callaway, C. S. Oliver and R L * well. . | The following report from the Judicial Committee* received and adopted :