ADMINISTRATION OF WILLIAM L. GREENLY.

GRAND MASTER 1860.

William L. Greenly was born at Hamilton, New York, September 18, 1813. He pursued a course of study at Union College, Schenectady, New York, and graduated in 1831. Returning to his home in Hamilton, he was admitted to the bar in 1834. Inspired by those lofty ideas that led so many brilliant young men of the Empire State to seek new homes in Michigan, he came to this state in 1836, and made his home in Adrian, where he resided until his death. He was elected State Senator in 1837, his merits receiving this early recognition in his new home. In 1845 he was elected Lieutenant Governor, and by the resignation of Governor Welch, became acting Governor in February, 1847. After being the recipient of these high honors, he returned to his home and did not disdain to accept the humble office of Justice of the Peace, holding this position for sixteen years.

Brother Greenly's Masonic career commenced on August 25, 1847, on which date he was initiated in Adrian Lodge, No. 19. He was passed and raised on September 22, of that year, and at the annual election at the close of that year was elected Senior Warden, and represented his Lodge in Grand Lodge the following January. He was elected Worshipful Master on November 17, 1850, serving as such for three years. He was an active member of Grand Lodge, and did efficient work on committees and elsewhere. In 1859, he was elected Deputy Grand Master, and in 1860 was made Grand Master, and performed the duties of that responsible station with honor to himself and to the great satisfaction of his brethren.

In Royal Arch Masonry he also attained equal distinction. He was exalted to the sublime degree of Royal Arch Mason in Adrian Chapter, No. 10, January 31, 1851, while that Chapter was working under dispensation, and at the close of the following year was elected High Priest. He made his first appearance in Grand Chapter in January, 1853, and was elected Grand King on this occasion. The next year he was advanced to Deputy Grand High Priest, and in 1855, two years from his first entrance into the Grand Chapter, was elected Grand High Priest.

He received the Orders of Knighthood in Adrian Commandery in 1857, and was an honored and highly esteemed member of that Commandery.

This illustrious brother died November 29, 1883, at Eaton Rapids, to which place he had gone to seek restoration of his impaired health, and was buried at Adrian on Sunday, December 2, 1883, the beautiful burial services of the Order being conducted by Grand Master C. F. R. Bellows, assisted by the Grand Lodge officers.

The annual communication of the Grand Lodge in 1861, was held in Detroit on January ninth, tenth and eleventh, with one hundred and nine lodges represented. In Grand Master Greenly's address, he referred to the muttering sof civil war then being heard through our land, in these words:

Since our last communication Masonry has been prosperous in the highest degree within this jurisdiction. Peace and plenty have been predominant in our State. But, alas, a dark cloud has arisen and now lowers over our beloved Union. Fearful, indeed, are the portents which are shadowed forth from its thick darkness. But in the language of one of my worthy and respected predecessors, "the fraternal relations existing amongst brethren throughout this country form an element of strength-a bond of union stronger than any other-for these alone have been able to resist the efforts of bigotry, the force of superstition, the rage of party, and is the only relation in which men who differ in all else can agree." May we not hope that when all efforts at conciliation shall have failed, that our beloved Order, powerful alone for good, may, by a united effort throughout the length and breadth of our land, bring about that harmony which alone can save our common country. I would therefore earnestly recommend that some action be taken by this Grand Body, with a view of enlisting all the Grand Lodges of the Union in the same effort to bring about so desirable a result.

On motion of Bro. Hon. H. A. Morrow, that portion of the Grand Master's address which recommended to the consideration of the Grand

Lodge the threatened disasters of our country, was referred to a special committee of three, and the Grand Master appointed Bros. Hon. H. A. Morrow, N. B. Eldridge, and D. P. Chamberlain such committee. When, on motion of Bro. J. Eastman Johnson, the committee was increased to seven and Bros. J. Eastman Johnson, O. D. Conger, Hon. W. M. Fenton and Francis Darrow were added to the committee.

That committee, after due consideration of this most important matter, reported as follows and their report was unanimously adopted: To the M. W. Grand Lodge of F. and A. Masons of Michigan:

The Committee to whom was referred so much of the M. W. Grand Master's address as relates to the Union, respectfully report:

That while in our opinion neither this Grand Lodge, or any subordinate, or any Mason, as such, should interfere in any way with the political faith or opinions of any party or set of men,-but the broad mantle of Masonic charity should extend to, shield and protect from calumny and abuse, our Brethren wherever situated throughout the globe,--yet, we believe a crisis may arise which will demand of all good Masons to show by their acts and words of counsel and admonition, as well as by precept, that they are quiet and peaceable citizens, true to their government, and just to their country.

This Grand Lodge, as well as its subordinates, is composed of members differing in mere political opinions, but bound together, with their Brethren everywhere, by the ties of brotherhood which know no party, sect or country, and which animates with equal ardor the heart of him who lives in the sunny clime of the South as of him who resides amid the snows of the North. A crisis such as we have referred to, many good and patriotic men believe, now exists, and we may not shut our eyes to the disastrous consequences which would not fail to flow from the permanent weakening or overthrow of that great temple of human liberty, raised and cemented by the blood of our fathers. Whether we were born under the constellation of the Union, or have adopted this country as our home and the home of our posterity, we cannot, as Masons or as men, be indifferent to the past history of our nation, or the glorious prospect which that history until recently seemed to ordain for its future. We look back with pride and gratitude to our revered Brother Washington, whose memory is embalmed in the hearts of his countrymen, and we hold in reverence the sacred place where lie the remains of him who was an ornament to the craft and the race; and, with hearts gushing with fraternal affection, we here, in this hall devoted to brotherly love, relief and truth, pledge ourselves, and appeal to our Brethren everywhere throughout this broad land of ours, in the name of him whose ashes repose in the hallowed tomb at Mount Vernon, to join with us in unceasing peaceable effort and constant invocation to the great Architect of the Universe to allay party strife and to strengthen the bonds of fraternal love, to save us from the dangers which have or may threaten the destruction of that temple of liberty erected by our