exercises a large number of Masters made report to me of the success of their efforts, and judging from the zeal thus manifested both before and after the event, I believe it can safely be said that no occasion of Masonic import was ever more generally observed by the craft throughout this Grand Jurisdiction than was the centennial anniversary of the death of our beloved Brother George Washington.

In further compliance with the will of this Grand Lodge, as expressed by your committee, I had the pleasure, and the honor, to represent this Grand Jurisdiction at the Washington memorial exercises held under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, at Mount Vernon. Much had been anticipated in connection with this event, but the fondest anticipation had failed to picture the magnitude and success that it actually attained. The attendance of Masons

was much larger than had been expected, but the boundless hospitality of and elaborate preparations made by those who had matters in charge were fully equal to the requirements, and none but the most pleasant memories can possibly exist with those who were present. I have not the report of the Grand Lodge of Virginia at hand from which to glean official information, but the occasion may safely be recorded as the largest gathering of presiding Grand Masters ever held in the history of Masonry. Not only was practically every Grand Jurisdiction in the United States represented, but there were also present the Grand Master of Nova Scotia and representatives from the Grand Lodges of England, Belgium, New Mexico, and Chili, and the Deputy Grand Master of Canada.

The program covered two days; Wednesday, the 13th, was given to the reception and registration of invited guests at the parlors of the Ebbitt House, Washington, and the evening of that day was given over to the regular annual session of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, the visiting brothers being taken to Alexandria by a special train. The visiting Grand Officers and representatives were given a royal welcome in the Grand East by Most Worshipful Grand Master Duke,

and each in turn, as he responded to the call for brief remarks, was given the Grand Honors of the order, and his expressions a cordial reception. After the close of the Grand Lodge a sumptuous banquet was given by the Masons of Alexandria.

On the morning of the 14th the solemn services in commemoration of the event for which the brethren had assembled were inaugurated. The Grand Officers and representatives and members of the craft formed in line at the Ebbitt House at eight o'clock, and with carriages two abreast and marching Masons four, made a procession over a mile long, which moved down Pennsylvania avenue to the wharf, where two large steamers were in waiting to convey the Masons and their guests to Mount Vernon. At Alexandria a third steamer, carrying the Grand Lodge of Virginia, joined the line, and as they steamed down the historic Potomac salutes were fired at Fort Washington and by the revenue cutter Sylph, which was anchored off Mount Vernon, where a United States battery also fired a salute of twenty-one minute guns. President McKinley and his cabinet officers and guests were taken from Washington to Mount Vernon by special train, and large parties were brought in by the electric car lines-the total attendance being estimated at twelve thousand persons, said to be the largest number that ever visited Mount Vernon in one day. The Masons reformed their lines at the wharf, and as they moved up the slope, past the old home and last resting-place of Washington the deep solemnity of the occasion impressed itself upon every one present. The man who could tread upon the soil of Mount Vernon that day without feeling that he was upon sacred ground, must have been of a queer organization, and certainly was not all that our fraternity expects. Yet, solemn and impressive as were the ceremonies and surroundings, they breathed forth the broad spirit of American patriotism that was a fitting tribute to the memory of the man, the Mason, and the soldier who could call forth this touching and beautiful tribute to his memory a hundred years after his death.

The place of honor both in the lines and during the exercises at Mount Vernon was accorded to Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4, in which Washington took the degrees; Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22, of which he was a charter member and the first Master, and Federal Lodge, No. 1, now of Washington, D. C., which officiated at the funeral services in 1799. The procession moved by way of the east front of the mansion, where the presidential party joined the ranks, and the line of march thence to the old tomb was over the same path followed by the funeral procession of one hundred years ago. The services at the old tomb were brief, but af the new tomb where the remains of Washington now rest they were beautiful and impressive, conducted by the Grand Lodge of Virginia, assisted by the representatives of other Grand Jurisdictions. At the close of these exercises the large assembly of people moved to the front of the mansion, the old home of Washington, where Brother William McKinley, president of the United States, standing upon the east porch of that historic old building, delivered an eloquent address a fitting tribute to the memory of the man whose name was so frequently spoken that day; and Grand Master Duke closed the exercises with an oration that was both eloquent and pathetic.

From nine to eleven o'clock in the evening a buffet banquet was served at the Willards, Washington, where it is esti mated that three thousand people partook of the refreshments. Later in the evening, at the Ebbitt House, a banquet was tendered the Grand Officers and their representatives, which was elaborate and complete in all its appointments.

Toasts and eloquent speeches, interspersed with the choicest music, made an evening's entertainment that was a fitting close for the exercises that had been so successfully executed from the beginning of the program.

A handsome souvenir book has been issued by the Centennial Committee, and a copy kindly sent to our Grand Lodge. Library.

Never were Masons more royally entertained than those who assembled as the guests of the Grand Lodge of Virginia upon the above occasion. Grand in its conception and successfully executed, the ceremonies at Mount Vernon on the 14th of December last stand without a parallel in the Masonic history of America, or in the world.

CONCLUSION.

Thus, my brothers, I render to you an accounting of my past year's work, so far as is practicable, and the trust that you placed in my hands one year ago I now return to you. In all things I have endeavored to act without prejudice or personal feeling, and always with the best interests of the fraternity in mind. The office of Grand Master of Masons in Iowa is no sinicure. It carries with it responsibilities that tend to sleepless nights and much anxiety. The Grand Lodge of Iowa is fast assuming proportions of great magnitude, and as the Masonic horizon is extended and the field becomes broader there is a corresponding increase in both the possibilities and responsibilities connected therewith. To the Grand Master who works with mind and conscience. in unison, the duties are "sometimes arduous, and at all times exacting," as he constantly bears in mind the duty he owes to the craft over whom he has been chosen to preside. But to every cloud there is a silver lining, and the pleasant experiences and happy moments so far outnumber those of an opposite nature that it is only the memories of the former that will remain with me in the future. I have always loved Masonry, but I shall love it the more because of the broader views and interesting experiences of the past year.

And now, my brethren, allow me to again return to you my earnest and heartfelt thanks for the very great honor you have bestowed upon me. If I have proven myself worthy thereof, my fondest hopes have been realized. I will not say good-bye, because there will be no parting-we will meet again, many times and oft, I trust, and I shall always be

happy to again stand shoulder to shoulder with you in the work of the Grand Lodge. May heaven's choicest blessings be given to you and yours.

Truly and fraternally yours,

Thre Lembert,

Grand Master.

APPENDIX A.

REPORT OF VISITING CUSTODIAN.

"Hon. Thomas Lambert, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Iowa:

"DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Although the provisions of the code do not require me to report my labors to you directly, yet I feel it to be a duty to give you somewhat of a report of my labors during the Masonic year now near an end.

"The Board of Custodians, after the session of the Grand Lodge at Mason City, in June, as they did not feel authorized under the law to change the districts from what they had been, deemed it prudent and best for the convenience of the lodges to have two or more places in each district of three days' school, rather than one week's school at a central point, believing that it would be the means of disseminating the work and lectures more thoroughly among the craft. So the Board adopted that plan and issued their circular to all the lodges in the jurisdiction in August, 1899, giving in detail an itinerary of times and places when the schools would be held, as per circular herewith attached. The result has been very satisfactory, although no larger per cent of the Masters in attendance has been the result over last year, yet a much larger attendance of the craft has been apparent, and therefore greater dissemination of the work.

"It might be well to re-district the state, observing county lines as boundaries of the respective districts, allowing delegates and brethren generally to attend any school that would be convenient for them. The plan adopted by the Board for the Masonic year 1899 and 1900 has made the labor for the Traveling Custodian more onerous than the previous year, yet if more has been accomplished than ever before he will be more than satisfied.

"The Board has missed the wise counsel of Brother Custodian Granger, by his continued indisposition on account of ill-health, which we all regret.

"Relative to suggestion of changing our code provisions, I do not know that I have any to offer.