The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-06-16


record Is made for the benefit of Others
seeking light ON the subjects considered
We would be glad, too, if that committee
would avail itself of our Masonic Depart
ment for the discrimination of their views
on disputed points among the Craft.
-~+~t%-
Adaptive NEasOnry---Order Of the
Eastern Star.
There are now five regularly chartered
Chapters of the Eastern Star in Missis-
sippi, and others will be organized very
soon. A Grand Chapter will be formd
within a few months. 1t was the plea
sure of this writer, to be present, III
April last, at a meeting Of Esther Chap
ter, No. 2, at Baldwin, Lee county,
when officers were elected and installed,
and splendid banquet spread. 1t will
be long-remembered occasion, and we
could not but wish that the Order was
more widespread in the State.
The term Adaptive Masonry is applied
to certain degrees resembling Masonry,
and Masonic in spirit, which have, at
times been invented for ladies, who have
claims upon the Order of Freemasonry,
through relatives who are members of it.
Adaptive Masonry first made its appear
ance in France, in the early part OF the
18th century, and there Is still legal
and regular branch of the institution in
that country. The French rite has four
degrees l. Apprentice; 2. Companion f;
3. Mistress; 4. Perfect Mistress. The
officers of Lodge of Adoption are a
Grand Master and Grand Mistress; an
Orator; an Inspector, and Inspectress 2
Depositor and Depositrex; a Conductor
and Conductress. They wear blue collars
with a gold trowel pendant therefrom
white aprons, and gloves. The members
also wear the jewel of the Order, which
is a golden ladder with five rounds, ON the
left breast. Many of the most distin
guished ladies of Europe have been, anC
are now, members of this Order. Among
them were the Duchess of Bourbon, the
Empress Josephine, . Lady Montague
Duchess Elizabeth Chesterfield, and the
Empress Eugene. The Adaptive Lodi
ges were at first rapidly diffused through
out all the countries of Europe, except
the British Empire. But the American
Adaptive rite is better adapted to the
United States, and has excited considera-
bic interest, and found many powerful
advocates in this country. 1t consists OF
five degrees as follows 1. Jepthah' 5
Daughter, or the Daughters degree, il
Illustrating respect to the binding force of
vow; 2. Ruth, or the Widows degree,
illustrating devotion to religious princi-
pies; 3. Esther, or the Wife's degree,
illustrating fidelity to kindred and
friends; 4. Martha, or the Sisters de
gree, illustrating undertaking faith in the
hour of trial; 5. Electa, or the Benevo-
lent degree, illustrating charity and
courage with patience and submission
under wrongs. All the degrees together
are called. the ''Rite of the Eastern Star, "
and are very beautiful and impressive
Ladies who have received these degrees
have ready, and efficient means of
commanding the services of Freemasons
whenever and wherever they may need
them. The moral teachings of the East
ern Star degrees are excellent, and can
not fail to make a good impression. Not
withstanding there is among some Masons
Il strong feeling against any form of
Adaptive Masonry, it cannot be ques-
toned that the spirit of the age demand
something of the kind. Masons cannot
find a surer safeguard and protection for
their wives, sisters and daughters than is
furnished by the American Adaptive rite
or Order of the Eastern Star. To the
objection that the degrees are not Mason
ic, it may be replied that they are as
much so as any degree outside of the
Masonic Lodge. All degrees above the
first three are Masonic, only by adoption
-CyclOpedia of FreemaSORry.
The following will indicate the officers
and strength of the Order in Mississippi:
DEPUTY GRAND PATRON. L.
Power, jackson.
DIST. DEP. GRAND PATRoN-P. NJ.
Slavery, Baldwin.
ELEcTA CHAPTER, No. 1.-Starkville, Ok
tibbeha county-C. n. Perry, Worthy Pa
iron; Mrs. L. a. Hogan, w. Matron.
ESTHER CHAPTER, No. 2.-Baldwyn-P
III. Slavery, W. Patron; Mrs. Laura l.. Bur-
ton, W. Matron; Mrs. A. ID. johnson, Trea-
eurer; Miss Matte Burge, Recorder; l.. c.
Prather, Conductor; Miss Paralee Will
liams, Conductress; J. Il. Wallis, Watch
man. Number of members g. Regular
niSnI succeeding End
Thursday in each month.
JEPTHA's DAUGHTER CHATTER, No. a
Saltillo-A. w. Sanderlin, w. Patron Mrs
Matte e. Lynn, w. Matron; Mrs. n, G.
Reed, Treasurer Mrs. Sue Stocks. Recorder:
He. Stocks, Conductor; Miss Sallie San
ders, Conductress; VIM. Carroll Mitchner,
Waterman. Number of members SO. Reg
ular meetings first Thursday night in each
month.
CHAPTER. No. 4.-Tupelo-J. S.
Clayton. Patron; Mrs. Belle Hunter, w. Ma
tron; Mrs NJ A. Williams, Treasurer; Mrs.
nj. A. Eckford. Recorder; j. M. Eckford,
conductor; Mrs. c. A. Mitchell, Conduct
ress; ) NJ. Robertson, Waterman. Num-
Der OF members, 81. Regular meetings
hrst Saturday in each month at 3 O'Clock, r.
NJ.
ADAH CHAPTER. No. 5.-yerona-B. s.
Lrlce, w: Patron; Mrs. Sue Bryant w.
Matron; Mrs. Il. h. Smith, Treasurer; Mrs.
d. l.. owen, recorder; Lee Gerette, Con-
A. L. Carruth, WatchDan. Regular meet