Evening star., 1869-09-21
I. O. Q. F.

The Grand ledge Of the United States
Their Meeting in San FrauciscO-ke.
ports Statistics, Prosperity Of the Order,
&c.
The Grand Lodge OF the United States OF the
Independent Order OF Odd Fellows met in
San Francisco yesterday in annual session,
full delegations being present from every
State and Territory in the Union, and the
DISTRICT of Colu mbia; also from the province
of Ontario and the continent of Australia. X.
W. Grand Sire Farusworth presided, and 30
Grand Lodges and Is Encampments were
represented. The address of welcome was de.
Hversd by the r. w. Grand Sire Of California,
and responded to by r. w. Grand Sire Farms
worth. Vice President Colfax visited the
Grand Lodge during the morning. The session
OF yesterday was consumed in hearing the an
nual reports OF the Grand Sire and Grand
Secretary, both OF which reports are full and
voluminous documents.
In the report Of the Grand Sire, E. ID. Farms.
worth, Esq. he says-"EspeciaIly important
TO all Is this assemblage, in view of It's high
prerogatiyes as the supreme head of the order.
In II 10 deposited the executive, judicial and
legislative power, and in the prudent, consti.
tutiopal and wise exsrcIse of this delicate and
highly responsible trust, is the WELL being and
destiny Of a great and leading benefaction
largely involved" The Grand Sire then goes
on TO say:-.Among he many very remarkable
and extraordinary incidents connected with
the history of Odd Fellowship. and which
have by their distinctive character been re-
earded a. epochs in It's career, there is. ven-
ture 20 say, not one which wilt surpass that
which IS now transporting. The Grand Lodge
OF the United States, representing a constitu-
ency diffused over the continent ad beyond IL
Is this day assembled in annual session on the
Pacific coast, at the splendid city OF San Fran
cisco, 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. thar as IN fha
Of the mor1ing." The Grand Sire then offers
bis congratulations upon the continued pros
peri:y of the order In every quarter OF the
general jurisdiction. From every country
In which the brethren are employed
there comes good report. The condi.
non OF the order generally in the IN.
bad. Very many OF the lodges have not the
meaps 10 supply the necess1ries and comforts
OF lodge.room, and such wants cannot pe
reached by individual effort or visitation.
There is very general d. sire to be restored to
their former healthy condition, and this can
only be attained by prompt and effective pc
cuuiary aid" He thinks that a very large
proportion OF the demised lodges in the Sonth.
ern States may be revived BY the application
OF this potent rgency. During the year Special
Deputy A. ID. Meacnam has organized Grand
Lodges at Victoria and New Zealand, colonies
OF Australia, ana Grad Encampment a. the
former place, and also subordinat eacaup.
ments al the city of Melbourne and at the civ
OF Geelo After Wishing Ia mama, or Van
DE mans IL md, for the purpose or organizing
the order there, Mr.. Meacham :. Ouid depart
for San Francisco, where be will report in
pei son during the present session Of the Grand
Lodge.
The annual report OF Gen. Jas. L. Ridgely,
secretary OF the Grand Lodge OF the United
States. thus speaks OF the condition Of the or
der In the District OF Columbia - The annual
| reports from the District OF Columbia were
| received in July, 1869, aud exhibit a highly
gratifying condition OF the order. The worthy
| and energetic grand officers each represent
| their respective branch TO be in good condi.
| uop. Grand Secretary r. Hall sweet cnarac-
srlzes II as highly prosperous, aud its march
Colledge remarKs that in transmitting the re-
port from the Grand Encampment from the
district OF Coiumola Tor the past year. desire
70 say that although the encampment branch
has not increased ITS membership, occasioned
by change of administration and the conse.
9nent dismissal OF SO many employees Of the
in more healthy condition than at this tIme
The encampments have been looping off the
| useless portion Of their m, mbership, and have
thereby promoted moral influence that will
be felt throughout the entire membership"
The revenue of the Grand Lodge of the Uni
ted States for the fiscal year. from the ordinary
| sources, viz supplies and representative tax,
| up TO and inclusive of 10Th August, 1869
amounts TO S2s, ,S17.04, to which is to added
$500 as the amount due and payable at or be-
fore the session-making a total OF S3hll7 o.
The revenue for the previous year from the
| same sources was 29,3o9. S6. The Grand Sscre.
tary says that, sit will be perceived that in the
the Grand Lodge OF the United States is emi.
nently prosperous, and this may be safely re.
garded not only as sure indication of the
solid and healthful character of our general
progress, but as propitious omen Of our fu.
ture onward career"
The number OF Lodges at present in the
United States Is 3.if6. During the past year
there were 40,73 limitations, 1926 reiections
6,9s5 admitted by card, ,725 withdra wn by card
3,6l2 reinstatements, 1885 suspensions, LOIS
expulsions, =, 10l deaths The entire member.
ship embership embraces 266, ,965. There We're
relieved during tine year - ,t9l; widowed fami.
lies relieved 4043; amoun' paid for the relief Of
brothers, si:9,1 20; amount paid for the relief
Of widowed families, STA, 4,205.7l; amount paid
for the education Of orphans, Si7, 46; amount
paid for burying the dead. S1Is,Oe0.55. The
total amount of receipts, 2,30e, ,99343.
There are under the jurisdiction Of the
Grand Lodge Of the United States 100 encamp.
ments, with an aggregate of i7,140 members
During the year ending Both June there were
7gi2 limitations, 290 rejections 952 admitted by
card, l,202 withdrawn by card, 429 reinstate.
ments, 1858 suspensions, ass expulsions, Ala
d. aths $500 members relieved, si7, 1906 paid
for the relief OF members, S47OS.i5 paid for the
relief Of widowed families, S355 80 paid for the
education OF orphans, Sl3,U}9. 10 paid tor bury
ing the dead-making total expended for
| relief OF Ss5,Oil3J. The entire receipts during
II Wk0I .lZa