Proceedings of the Grand lodge of Texas, from its organization in city of Houston, Dec. A.D. 1837, A.L. 5837, to the close of the grand annual communication held at Palestine, January 19, A.D. 1857, Vol. 1 Page: 273
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273
of La Grange, where I commenced my labors as Grand Lecturer, and continued
laboring, from day to day and from place to place, until about the millele of
September last, during which time I visited all the chartered Lodges in the
State, with one exception, and a majority of the Lodges now working under
Dispensation.
I did not visit Van Zandt Lodge, from the fact that, whilst in that portion of
the State, I was informed by the Worshipful Master of said Lodge (whom I met at
Jefferson) that they had no suitable room either to work or lecture in. They were
then building a Lodge Room, and expected to have it in a situation to hold their
next regular meeting in. These buildings were then erected and covered but
not weatherboarded, and they could procure no room suitable for Lodge purposes.
Under these circumstances I thought it inexpedient to visit said Lodge
at that time: since then other Masonic duties have prevented my doing so.
I am happy to say that all the Lodges subordinate to this Grand Lodge are
now in a healthy and flourishing condition. A large majority of said Lodges
are doing much work and working very well. I found some irregularities and
discrepancies in their mode of work which it is not proper for me to point out
here. I, however, endeavored to correct them, and did so, as far as time and
my abilities would permit.
Of one fact I am fully and thoroughly convinced, and I think it speaks volumes
for Masonry in Texas: it is that all the Lodges under your jurisdiction are
cautious in admitting candidates. They scrutinize and examine well a man's
character before they initiate him into the secrets of our Order.
Many of the Lodges in the State have erected or are now erecting large and
commodious buildings for Lodge purposes, which argues much for their financial
prosperity, and shows a proper determination on the part of the Brethren to
provide themselves with rooms suitable for lecturing and working in.
The Lodges under Dispensation which I have visited are working regularly
and well. They have done much work, yet have been careful in selecting their
material to work upon. It will, however, be unnecessary for me to make any
comments upon their work, as it will be before your honorable body for inspection.During my labors as Grand Lecturer I have been called upon to decide many
difficult and important questions, not only in regard to the mode of work, but
also in regard to the proper manner of conducting the regular business of a
Lodge. Upon some of these questions I shall ask the decision of the Grand
Lodge.
The duties of a Grand Lecturer are difficult, responsible and arduous; yet
they were rendered pleasant from the fact that I was cordially received by
every Lodge that I visited, made welcome whilst there, and my lectures were
listened to with attention and a desire to profit; yea, all the Brethren manifested
and expressed a wish to improve and extend their Masonic information.
The last duty which I was called upon to discharge during the present Masonic
year was to visit Matagorda for the purpose of setting Matagorda Lodge, No. 7,
to work again under their former Charter, they having obtained authority frpm
the M. W. Grand Master to resume labor under said Charter.
I have but recently returned from said Lodge; and it affords me much pleasure
to say that I found the members there quite zealous in the cause of Masonry,
and I am satisfied that their Lodge will now prosper, and, ere long, work as well
as any Lodge in the State.
In conclusion, I would ask leave to return my sincere thanks to the members
of the various Lodges which I visited for the liberality with which they rewarded
We br- my labors whilst with them.
All of which is respectfully submitted. W G. M. TAYLOau,
Grand Lecturer.
The R. W. J. H. Walton offered the following resolution, which was
VOL. I.-18
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Freemasons. Texas. Grand Lodge. Proceedings of the Grand lodge of Texas, from its organization in city of Houston, Dec. A.D. 1837, A.L. 5837, to the close of the grand annual communication held at Palestine, January 19, A.D. 1857, Vol. 1, book, 1857; Galveston. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth29778/m1/273/?q=+date%3A1845-1860&rotate=90: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Star of the Republic Museum.