THOMAS LAMBERT,

Grand Master 1899-1900.

BY SUMNER MILLER.

ON. THOMAS LAMBERT, who closed a very successful administration as Grand Master of Iowa Masons in June, 1900, was born on a farm near Sabula, February 13th, 1855. He was not favored with the luxury of a college education, and never attended any but the Sabula schools. He became owner and publisher of the Sabula Gazette in 1880, and under his management this paper has grown to be the largest and most remunerative in Jackson county. Notwithstanding the fact that the life of a newspaper man is a busy one, yet Brother Lambert found time to engage in several other business enterprises, and by his tact and shrewd business ability they were invariably a success. On August 8th, 1883, he was married to Miss Jennie Cotton, of Sabula, and as a result of this union one child-a daughter-Hazel C. was born.

Brother Lambert was initiated in Resurgam Lodge, No. 169, at Sabula, July 26th, 1882; passed August 28th, 1882; raised October 2d, 1882. He is a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite bodies, having received the degrees at Lyons, in Iowa Lodge of Perfection, January 19th, 1886; Delphic Chapter Rose Croix, January 20th, 1886; Hugh de Payens Council Knights Kadosh, January 21st, 1886, and De Molay Consistory, January 22d, 1886. also received the "Knight of the Court of Honor" in October, 1899. He served Resurgam Lodge for many years as its Worshipful Master, and was instrumental in making it one of the most efficient and enthusiastic in Iowa. He has been closely identified with the Grand Lodge of Iowa for many

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years, having served on many of its important committees. He was appointed chairman of the Committee on Chartered Lodges in 1894, and at that time made the first complete settlement that had been made for almost half a century between the Grand Lodge and the subordinate lodges. This illustrates the thoroughness with which he performs whatever task is assigned him. He served as Senior Grand Warden during the year 1896-7, and as Grand Master 1899-1900. As Grand Master it can be said of him that while his term was not punctuated by any paroxysms of eloquence, yet his address, his manner of conducting the affairs of his office, and his straight-forward, business-like administration brought credit to the craft and himself alike. During the past year a vacancy occurred on the Board of Trustees of the Grand Charity Fund, upon the death of Past Grand Master E. C. Blackmar, whereupon Grand Master Eaton appointed Brother Lambert to fill the vacancy, and in this capacity he is still serving. It may be very appropriately mentioned here that the brethren of Sabula, and the citizens as well, have ever been very appreciative of any distinction or honors conferred on Brother Lambert. On June 21st, 1899, a reception was given him at his home in Sabula, where Masons and citizens alike met and lent their assistance to do honor to him whom the Masons of Iowa had deemed proper to place in so distinguished a position as Grand Master.

In politics Brother Lambert is a democrat. He was a delegate to the National Democratic convention held in St. Louis in 1888, and to almost every state and county convention for twenty years. He is just completing his nineteenth successive year in a couple of local offices; served his town as mayor till he positively refused to serve longer, and was elected to the State Legislature in 1895. He served in the House during all sessions of the Twenty-sixth and Twentyseventh General Assemblies, and was generally recognized as the leader of the democratic forces in these bodies. He was elected to the State Senate in November, 1899, and still retains membership therein.

I have had the pleasure of an intimate acquaintance with Brother Lambert for several years, and have ever found in him those manly qualities and virtues characteristic of the true Mason. While he is a very enthusiastic supporter of any cause he espouses, yet I have never found in him one who would resort to trickery or invective to accomplish his purpose. He is a Mason in all that endeared term implies. Had I the moulding of his future, the best that I could possibly wish for him would be that the decline of his maturer years would be a retrace of the footprints of his early life.

WILLARD LEE EATON.

BY JOSEPH E. MORCOMBE.

HE Grand Lodge of Iowa has been peculiarly fortunate from the first in the selection of men to whom has been committed the government toist of the craft. The changing years have brought up questions of current importance, upon the correct solution of which much has depended. These years have presented difficulties and evolved controversies. Yet, as if by happy chance, the man and the hour have ever been conjoined. Mild words of counsel have sometimes sufficed, at other times there has been necessary wise diplomacy and skilful harmonizing of diverse interests, while yet again occasion has required the strong hand and the stern voice of authority. But the sum of varying rule and policy has been wise and beneficent. The fraternity has benefited and grown stronger as each has performed the task of his time and passed on to his successor an increased responsibility.

The list of our Grand Masters has grown lengthy. It is filled with the names of men who have won honors in other lines of activities. That they were good Masons vouches for the fact that they were good citizens; that they achieved the honors of the craft is evidence of abilities which would win recognition and reward elsewhere. It would be a tempting yet an arduous task for one to review this line of worthies; to recount again the sterling virtues of the pioneers; to tell in fit phrase how this one and that has loomed large in Iowa history and won lasting place among those who planted a commonwealth, fostered its growth, made or administered its laws, promoted its prosperity by arts of peace, or sustained its honor on stricken fields. There is in the whole list not one name we would efface, not one that could be spared in making up the record of honorable deeds.

But other hands through all the years have performed the labor of love for these distinguished brothers. The history