their intentions were good and their errors not designed.' They, therefore, advise the Gr. Lodge of Connecticut, in the true spirit of friendship and brotherly love, to recommend to the subordinate Lodges and Brethren of Michigan, so to review and reorganize their Gr. Lodge that the right hand of fellowship can be extended to them by their sister Gr. Lodges, and by every individual member of the Fraternity throughout the world.

Thus you perceive that that Charity which you invoke has exercised her kindest offices, and still extends towards you her open hands, imploring you to turn from the perverse and cheerless course into which you have been deluded. Organized as you are, without a shadow of lawful authority, you cannot be admitted to our Lodges, we cannot countenance you, or own you as fair Brethren duly formed, nor approve of your acts or deeds.

How long then will you try the patience of your friends? Until they cease to place confidence in your professions of good faith? We hope not, we believe it not; and that faith and hope are also emanations of charity animating

To Brothers

JOHN MULLETT.

E. SMITH LEE.

LEVI COOK.

JEREMIAH MOORS.

JOHN FARRAR,

Detroit, Michigan.

Your friends and Brothers,

MORGAN LEWIS, G. M.

ALEX H. ROBERTSON, D. G. M.
JAMES HERRING, Gr. Secretary.

After listening to this correspondence and carefully considering the same, it was decided to adopt the course which had been previously pointed out to them, and it was unanimously

Resolved, That in view of the difficulties with the Grand Lodge of the state of New York in acknowledging the authority of this Grand Lodge, that it be recommended, and this Grand Lodge does hereby recommend, to the members of the old Lodges of this state, formerly holding their Charters from the Grand Lodge of the state of New York, to apply to that body for a renewal of their Charters for the purpose of immediate re-organization.

Resolved, That in case the renewal of three Lodges be granted under the above authority and upon the above conditions, this Grand Lodge does hereby recommend. said Lodges to take immediate steps for forming a Grand Lodge.

Resolved, That as soon as said Grand Lodge shall have been so organized agreeably to the foregoing recommendations, this Grand Lodge shall be dissolved, On motion of C. A. Smith,

Resolved, That when said three Lodges shall have re-organized and formed a Grand Lodge pursuant to the foregoing instructions, and this Grand Lodge shall have surrendered its jurisdiction, that all the moneys, goods, chattels, credits and effects, books, records, seals, blanks, etc., shall pass into the hands of the new Grand Lodge and become the property of the new Grand Lodge to all intents and purposes.

The principal business done at the annual communication held two weeks later, was the election of officers and renewing the dispensation of Evergreen Lodge. Pending the action toward an entire reorganization of the Grand Lodge, there was no disposition to attempt to do any further business than was necessary to keep the organization intact. Zion, Detroit and Lebanon Lodges had applied to the Grand Lodge of New York for a renewal of their former warrants and all were awaiting their receipt before taking any further decisive steps. These warrants were received in June and these with St. Joseph Valley Lodge at Niles, united in calling a conventon to meet in Detroit on September 17, 1844, for the purpose of forming a new Grand Lodge. This was accomplished; Grand Officers were elected, and at an adjourned meeting in the following November they were regularly installed. All things now being in readiness for the final acts of the Grand Lodge which had failed of recognition, the following call for a special meeting thereof was sent to all the Lodges:

CIRCULAR.

An Emergent Communication of the 'Grand Lodge of Michigan' will be held at 'Masonic Hall' in the City of Detroit on Tuesday the Seventeenth day of December next, at high 12, for the transaction of special and important business. Your Lodge is hereby ordered to take due notice thereof and govern itself accordingly.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the great seal of the Grand Lodge, at Mt. Clemens, this 27th day of November A. L. 5844.

A. C. Smith,

Grand Secretary.

The complete records of this last meeting are as follows:

EMERGENT COMMUNICATION.

DETROIT, December 17th, A. L. 5844.

At an Emergent Communication of the Grand Lodge of Michigan, begun and held pursuant to the call of the Grand Master, at Masonic Hall, in the City of Detroit, on the seventeenth day of December, A. L. 5844.

And visiting Bros. LEVI COOK, C. C. JACKSON, and C. JONES.

Bro. Smith stated that there was a committee in waiting, appointed by another Grand body of Masons, to make a communication to this Grand Lodge. And, on motion, Bro. E. Smith Lee was introduced to the Grand Lodge.

Who thereupon reported,

That a new Grand Lodge had been recently organized in accordance with the permission and authority heretofore granted in certain resolutions adopted in May last by this Grand Lodge; and that said Grand Lodge is now in session and ready to receive any communication which this Grand Lodge may please to make.

This report being accompanied by documents, showing a proper organization in accordance with the requirements of this Grand Lodge.

On motion of Bro. Smith,

Resolved, That the Grand Secretary and Treasurer be directed forthwith to make over to the Grand Secretary of the new Grand Lodge all the property and effects in their hands belonging to this Grand Lodge.

Resolved, That in the opinion of this Grand Lodge justice requires that all the Lodges now working in good standing under this jurisdiction should be reinstated in the jurisdiction of the new Grand Lodge of Michigan, with the same Masonic powers, rights and privileges that they have hitherto enjoyed.

Resolved, That all the Lodges working under this jurisdiction be required to report and pay all dues to the new Grand Lodge at its next Annual Communication as they have heretofore done to this.

Resolved, That this Grand Lodge be now closed in harmony, and be henceforth forever dissolved.

The Grand Secretary having been instructed to transmit copies of the foregoing resolutions to all the Subordinate Lodges, and also to the new Grand Lodge. This Grand Lodge was thereupon closed in peace and harmony.

ATTEST:

A. C. SMITH,

Grand Secretary.

Thus the work of this Grand Body, organized by some of the most zealous Masons the sun ever shone upon, but in such a manner, through the mistaken zeal of these brothers, that it was not recognized outside of Michigan as regularly formed, came to an end and it was merged into the present Grand Lodge, which for fifty years has stood like a watchman upon the mountains. Although its visible work was ended, who shall say it did not wholly fulfill its mission? It awakened the slumbering zeal of the fraternity in this state, and, by its active efforts paved the way for our present noble organization. Requiescat in pace.

THE LODGES.

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF LODGES

FORMED UNDER THE

SECOND GRAND

LODGE.

During the three years existence of the Grand Lodge of 1841-4, Lebanon, Napoleon, Jackson and Evergreen Lodges were organized. It is fitting that a brief sketch of each of these Lodges be here given, before taking up the thread of the general history of the institution under the new dispensation about to be ushered in.

During these same years two Lodges were organized in Michigan under dispensations granted from other jurisdictions, viz: St. Joseph Valley Lodge, at Niles, by the Grand Lodge of New York and Western Star Lodge, of St. Joseph, by the Grand Lodge of Indiana. A sketch of each of these is also given at this point in our history.

LEBANON LODGE-MT. CLEMENS.

THE FIRST IN THE FIELD AT THE REVIVAL

OF MICHIGAN MASONRY.

The great imigration to Michigan between the years 1830 and 1840, naturally brought to this state many who had received masonic light in the eastern states, and who retained an abiding love for Masonry which had been dormant in Michigan for many years. In the enterprising little village of Mt. Clemens several of these brethren found a home. What more naturai then than for them to ardently desire a masonic home also. Not until the year 1841 did the way open for them to accomplish their desires. Among those who were most active in establishing a Lodge at this place where Ebenezer Hall, afterwards Grand Master, and A. C. Smith, afterwards Grand Secretary and later Grand Lecturer, and to the zeal of these two brothers, perhaps more than any others, was due the organization of this Lodge, as well as of a Grand Lodge in 1841. In the preceding year the matter had been sufficiently discussed to warrant the calling of a convention for organizing a Lodge. This convention was held November 13, 1840, and it was resolved to organize a Lodge and a committee was appointed to secure a dispensation from the proper authority.

The only officer of the former Grand Lodge, with authority to act, that could be reached by this committee, was Brother Martin Davis, of Ann Arbor, who was Junior Grand Warden when the Grand Lodge suspended labor twelve years before. Acting under the authority which he fully believed was vested in him, he granted a dispensation, of which the following is a fac-simile copy: