first advent into the Masonic institution, many of them more than a quarter of a century ago, among whom are numbered those who were students of his in earlier days. These tender messages have caused the tear to come to the eye, and the voice to tremble as he asked that they might one and all be acknowledged, and his benediction and kind regards returned to each. He had always hoped that while life lasted he might be able to meet with his brethren in Grand Lodge, and it is a great disappointment to him that he cannot be with you this year in person, as he is in spirit.

EATH has been reaping with a lavish hand during the past Masonic year, taking from among our number many who have long been associated with us, and well known to Masonic fame. It is not our intention to write a memorial paper, nor to refer to the long list of distinguished brethren who have journeyed

"To that far land, far beyond storm and cloud

To that bright land, where sun doth never set-
To that life land, which has nor tomb nor shroud,
And brothers meet again who oft have met,
Joyful we go!"

We shall, however, refer to our associates in office, Brothers H. C. Armstrong, W. R. Singleton, J. W. Laflin, and E. C. Parmelee, of sister jurisdictions, each of whom has served his Grand Lodge as Grand Secretary, and to our own Brothers, E. C. Blackmar, Past Grand Master, and William Elsom, Past Junior Grand Warden, and to our distinguished correspondent, Brother George W. Speth, of England. We leave to our able Committee on Fraternal Dead the preparation of the usual memorial paper for the dead of the year, and to more fully write up the memorials for these of our own jurisdiction who have but gone before and now await our coming.

Henry Clay Armstrong, Grand Secretary of Alabama, began his Masonic career in early manhood by becoming a member of all the bodies of the York Rite. He was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of his state for three years; served his Grand Lodge as Junior and Senior Grand Warden, as Deputy Grand Master, elected and served as Grand Master for two years, and was Grand Secretary of Grand Lodge, Chapter, and Council, and Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery at the time of his decease, December 17th, 1900. He

was sixty-eight years of age. He had been a member of the state general assembly both in the house and senate; served as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and at one time was Consul General of the United States at Rio de Janerio. His biographer, in speaking of him, says: "In the death of Brother Armstrong Masonry has lost one of its most devoted, zealous, useful, and loyal members; the state a respected, honored, and patriotic citizen; the church a pious, consistent communicant; the community in which he lived a hospitable, kind, and benevolent neighbor; his family a devoted, loving, kind, and affectionate husband, father, and brother." A worthy tribute to one who has honored the fraternity as it has been honored by his service.

Edward Carroll Parmelee, the fourth of the Grand Secretaries to die in office since our last communication, was born in Vermont, May 16th, 1835, and died at his home in Denver on May 10th, 1901. He was elected Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Colorado in 1866, and served that body as its Grand Secretary continuously up to the time of his death. He was the Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of his state from its organization in 1875, and the Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery from the time of its organization in 1876, serving as recording officer of all three bodies, as likewise several local bodies. Was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, being an honorary 33°. He was made a Mason in Monroe Lodge, No. 88, at Monroe, Iowa, in 1857. Few members of the fraternity visiting Denver failed to call and meet him, and esteemed it a privilege to have become acquainted with him. He was faithful to the fraternity which he loved and devoted to its welfare in his death. His Masonic record would make one worthy of presenting to our brethren, as he was ever an enthusiastic member of the various bodies to which he belonged. True and faithful, and reliable in the minutest detail of every act of his life. He was ever devoted to mother and sister up to the time of their death, which occurred some years ago. The brethren of Colorado have lost an earnest and enthusiastic member of the craft, and a faithful servant.

William Reynolds Singleton, for more than a quarter of a century the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, was one of the last of the old guard, a warm personal friend and correspondent of your Grand Secretary for some sixty years. We were representatives of our respective lodges in the mother Grand Lodge of Missouri in 1842 and 1843, at which time (both being young men) a warm attachment sprung up between us, and has lasted during all these years. Brother Singleton passed away at his home in Washington, D. C.. on February 23d last, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He was quiet and plain, of pleasing appearance and address. Acting Grand Commander Richardson of the Supreme Council, of which he was an honored member, in speaking of him says:

"For many years our brother was a close student of the history, philosophy, and symbolism of Masonry, and in past years lectured quite frequently in public on these subjects. He also lectured on the modern discoveries in the Holy Land, a matter to which he had given much thought. In his addresses he often used appropriate illustrations prepared by himself. He was a ready writer, and for a long period was constantly engaged in regular correspondence for various papers and journals.

"His long life was eventful and busy, and his success was attributable to his indomitable perseverance and his unyielding integrity. His personal popularity was almost unbounded, and he died without an enemy.

"Our brother faithfully observed the injunction to be true unto all men, to be frank and sincere in all things, and to be earnest in doing whatever he found it his duty to do. He was not deceitful, and no man had cause to repent that he had trusted or relied upon his promise."

He was writer of the reports on correspondence for many years, and his productions are among the best of any in the land. His latest labor was in connection with Mackey's History of Freemasonry, in seven large volumes. He was the editor of this work, and had charge of its compilation, himself preparing that portion devoted to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

Among the last communications received from him at this office was an autograph copy of a beautiful poem in response to our New Year's Greetings. Brother Singleton and myself had outlived all of our early associates in office, and in exchanging our greetings

our letters were ever filled with references to the years that were past and to the friends of former days, for which reason we quote the poem in full:

"Long years have pass'd, old friend, since we
First met in life's young day;

And friends long loved by thee and me,
Since then have dropp'd away-
But enough remain to cheer us on,

And sweeten, when ere we're met,
The glass we fill to the many gone,
And the few who're left us yet.

"Our locks, old friend, now thinly grow,
And some hang white and chill;
While some, like flow'rs 'mid winter's snow,
Retain youth's color still-

And so, in our hearts, though one by one,
Youth's sunny hopes have set,

Thank Heav'n not all their light is gone-
We've some to cheer us yet.

"Then here's to thee, old friend, and long
May thou and I still meet,

To brighten yet with wine and song
This short life, ere it fleet-

And still as death comes stealing on,
Let's never, old friend, forget,

E'en while we sigh o'er blessings gone,
How many are left us yet."

Wisconsin mourns the death of John Warren Laflin, who for seventeen years served that Grand Lodge as Grand Secretary, and who was the recording officer of the Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery. He was also the editor of the Masonic Tidings, of Milwaukee, for some years, through the columns of which paper he talked with many of us, and by his interesting talks on Masonic subjects endeared himself to many and held their friendship through life. He was a man whom it was a pleasure to meet-genial, companionable, upright, and honest, ever making new friends, yet always retaining the old. He was a true friend and brother, an indulgent father, a kind and affectionate husband, with a heart as tender as that of a woman. He passed quietly and peacefully away on the morning of August 30th, 1900, leaving a record of which any man might feel proud, and a host of friends all over our land to mourn his death.

As our report goes to press we learn of the sudden death, by a paralytic stroke, of Brother Edwin Baker, Grand Secretary of Rhode Island, in his sixty-third year. For twenty-nine years he has been keeper of the records of that Grand Lodge, a faithful and painstaking recording officer.

This makes the fifth Grand Secretary to die in office during the year. Notice of his death reaches us too late to insert his portrait, or to give more extended notice in this report.