The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-09-22

At the session Of the United States Grand
Lodge of Odd Fellows, In San Francisco, on
Monday, the reports Of the Grand Sire and
Grand Secretary were read.
The following extracts may be Of interest
to the general reader, showing the extent
and usefulness OF the widespread Order
REPORT OF GRAND SIRE.
In the report of the Grand Sire, Z. d.
Farnsworth, ESQ.,, he says: Especially i'm
portant to all Is this assemblage, In view Of
Its high prerogatives rs the supreme head Of
the Order. In II Is deposited the executive,
judicial and legislative power, and in the
prudent, constitutional and wise exercise Of
this delicate and highly responsible trust, Is
the well-being and destiny Of great and
leading benefaction largely involved" Tho
Grand Sire thcu goes on to say "On this
occasion our meeting Is characterized by
more than ordinary Interest. An uncom-
mon energy has distinguished all the Juris-
dictions during the recess, In order that each
should be present here to-day, however re-
motely situated from the seat OF legislation.
Among the many very remarkably and eN-
traordinary incidents connected with the
history Of Odd Fellowship, and which have
by their distinctive character been regarded
as epochs In Its career, there Is, venture to
say, not one which Will surpass that which
Is now transplring.
"The Grand Lodge Of the United States,
representing a constituency difused over
the continent and beyond It., Is this day as
sembled In annual session on the Pacific
coast at the splendid city Of San Francisco,
the metropolis Of one OF the greatest com.
monwealths Of the American Federal Union.
For the most part, the representatives
present are distant thousands Of miles from
their homes, transported thithcr as If on the
wings of the morning" The Grand Sire
then offers his congratulations upon tho con-
tlnued prosperity Of the Order In every quar-
ter OF the general Jurisdiction. From every
country In which the brethren are employed
there comes a good report. lie says that In
spursuance of a resolution adopted at the
last meeting Of the Grand Lodge, he has,
| during the year, visited Louisiana, Virginia,
Mississippi, Texas, South Carolina, North
Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas and
Florida, with q Wow to q revival Of interest,
and to materially increase the membership
In those jurisdictions. The Grand Sire gives
II as his conviction "that however gratifying
II Is TO our brethren In the South to have the
good feeling and wishes OF their brethren In
more favored localities, and to receive the
personal yisitations of grand officers and
special instructions In the work, yet this is
not the aliment upon which, Just at this
time, they can be expected to attain strength
and vlgor. The condition Of the Order gen.
orally In the interior Of tho Southern States
Is pecuniarily bad. Very many Of the
lodges have not tho means to supply the ne
cessarics and comforts OF lodge-room, and
such wants cannot DO reached by Individual
effort or visitation. There is very general
desire to be restored to their former healthy
condition, and this can only be attained by
prompt and effective pecunlary aid" lie
thinks that q large proportion ofthc dcmlsed
lodges In the Southern States may be re-
vlved by the application of this potent
agency. During the year Special Deputy A.
d. Meacham has organized Grand Lodges at
Victoria and New Zealand, colonies OF Aus
tralia, and Grand Encampment at the
former place, and also subordinate encamp.
ments at the city of Melbourne and at the
city OF Geelong. Aftor visiting Tasmania,
| or Van Dieman's Land, for the purpose OF
would depart for San Francisco, where he
will report in person during the present ses-
sion Of the Grand Lodge.
In referring to the deaths Of Right Wor.
shipful Grand Representative Richard Mar
ley, of the Grand Lodge OF Maryland, and
OF Past Grand Representative and Righ'
Worshipful Grand Secretary Of the Crane
Lodge OF Pennsylvania, VIM. Curtis, tn,
Grand Sire thus speaks OF Mr.. Marley: "II,
was a contemporary OF the illustrious VII
dey, and his earnest and faithful co-laborer
lie was, during his entire life, an active and
devoted odd Fellow, and for more thar
thirty years member OF this body. Nc
representative ever appeared on this floor
more generally beloved for his manly bear.
ing, heightened honor, suayity OF manner
aud general excellence Of heart" The late
Mr.: Curtis is also highly spoken Of as an
active and laborious worker In the Order.
| GRAND sEcRETARY's REPORT.
The annual report Of Gen. James l.
Rldgely, secretary Of the Grand Lodge ofth,
United States, thus speaks OF the condltlor
Of the Order In Maryland: "The able an(
experienced Grand Secretary Of Maryland
J. B. Escavaille, In submitting his annua
report, accompanied the same with the iol
lowing very gratifying statement, which S.
our beloved Order at Its place Of natiylt
that we have no words to add" Mr.. Esca
vaille's report says: 81 have the honor +
transmit herewith the forty-ninth annual re
port Of the Grand Lodge OF Maryland 70
: the year ending June 20, 1869. With III
, submission Of this report permit me to ad
to its gratifying exhibit Of the condition au
> work Of the Order In our Jurisdiction durin
II the past year that the brotherhood hay
It been fully alive to the great principles thu
!. uuderlle our common fraternity, great d.
gree OF zeal and energy have been man
. tested In every department Of the work, an
the result of the operations Of the Order Il
u the matter Of pecunlary assistance gives
Z practical exempllGcatlon Of the benign mis-
sion Of Odd Fellowship.
! SIN addition 10 the sum Of sos, al 81 pal
= by the several lodges for various purpose
n OF relief contemplated by the bylaws OF on
Institution, an amount approximatlng l.
4, $1,000 has been tho voluntary donation 70
. such purposes OF charity as have elaine
= their attention. The future prospects Of tn
Order In Maryland afford the most abun
dant cause for congratulatlon, and Civ
promise that Its labors In the cause OF hu
manity will be crowned with marked sui
cess" The Grand Secretary of Marylan
also alludes In fitting terms to the death {
the late Richard Marley.
The condition OF the Order IN the DlstriC
of Columbia is thus alluded Il by the Gran
Y Secretary: "Thc annual reports from til
D | District OF Columbia were received In July
0 1860, and exhibit highly gratifying cond
ton OF the Order. The worthy and eneI
gelic grand officers each represent their re
spectlye branch to be In good condition
Grand Secretary p. Hall Sweet character
ICES II as highly prosperous and Its march I
be onward; and Grand Scribe Chas. d. II
College remarks that in transmitting til
: report from the Grand Encampment O
= the District Of Columbia for the past yea,
y | desire TO say that although the encampmeI
=, branch has not increased its membership
occasloned by change OF DdmlnistratlC
lr and the consequent dismissal of SO mar
lie employees Of the Government service, yet
70 was perhaps never In more healthy conc
:, ton than at this time. The encampmen
ii have been looping of the useless portion
&c their membership, and have thereby pl
cs NOTED moral influence that will be f
p. throughout the entire membership"
The revenue Of the Grand Lodge of 4
United States for the fiscal year, from Il
ordinary sources, viz: supplies and repr
d sentative tax, up to and Inclusive Of u
:. August, 1869, amounts 10 S2S,Sl7.04,
II which is to be added $500 as the amou
due and payable at or before the session
making a total of s34, 11704. The reven,
g for the previous year from the same sourc
l. was k20, 3s9.S6. The Grand Secretary sa
IT that SIT will be perceived that in the all-iI
"a portant clement Of strength, the finance
- the Grand Lodge OF the United States is en-
u nently prosperous, and this may be safe
Of regarded not only as a sure indication OF t
IN solid and healthful character Of our gcner
n progress, but as proptious omen OF o
future onward career"
&c The number OF lodges at present In Il
h United States is 3,4iG. During the past ye
n there were 40, 1877 limitations, 1905 rejection
10 G,9s5 admitted by card, s,72j withdrawn