Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-09-18
L O. O. F.
GRAND LODGE or UNITED STATES.
Especial Dispatch t, The star.l


CHICAGO, Sept. Is, lSTi.-The Grand Lodge of
the United States, /. o. O. F., met in this city.
at Library Han, TO which the members OF the
body were c-corted from The Sherman House by
the Grand Lodge Of Illinois. An address of
welcome was then delivered by the Hon. John
Rogers, which was responded to by the Grand
Sire. Among tho present are +. u. Stuart.
Vim. r. Mclean and John t. Given, % the Dis
uict o. Columbia; Hugh Latham, os Alexandria,
Va; James l.. Ridgely and Joshua Vanssnt, of
Baltimore, Nd. After the admis sion Of the new
members, some ffty-two in number, the bust
ness of the session was entered upop.
The Grand Sire IF. ID. Stuart, OF W Washington,
De- presented his annual report.
The Grand Sire congratulates the representa-
tivCs on the suspicious circumstances of their
reunion, and after speaking OF the objects. aims
and prospects of the order throughout the
country, says -" II Is nv privilege t. report
20 you that uneNampled prosperity las re xarded
Gun labors during the past year in every section
of the general jurisdiction. Peace and concord,
which have from our infancy characterized the
Institution amid all the extreme conflicts and
tumults of the world, continue unbrOken within
our borders, and generous spirit of emulation
and rivalry prevails among the brethren 20 eX
eel in the great cause OF human bencfaction.
In no period OF our history, whether we con-
slider our numbers, our finances or our work of
benevOleDce, have we had greater reason for
qualification He states that the reports of the
crease in membership viii not vary far from
$4,000, making an aggregate at this time OF
nearly 33e,0O0; and the increase in revenue and
disbursements for relief will be prOpOrtionate.
He ADDS Comment il unnecessary; il is
doubtful whether any secular or ganization in the
world Tor benevolent objects will sUrpaSs this
exhibit, and il is believed that few, ii any, will
be able 10 equal it."
Under the head of finances he saws the Grand
Treasurer assures him that the financial cOndi-
ton OF the Grand Lodge has never been In =
made at the last session having been promptly
paid, leaving in his hands sufficient TO Justify
his investment Of S6,Il250. The aggregate in
+ S14, 600.
The Grand Sire refers to having appointed
Bro. s. ID. Morse as Special Deputy Graud Sire
for Germanic Europe, but avs lac will not occupy
their time in detailing the splendid fruits
which have rewarded his unwearied labOrS
in this behalf, other than merely to state
hat four lodges have been organized by
him in Europe, and one encamyment."
He commends TO the favorable notice of
The Grand Lodge the valuable corporation Of
-eyeral public observation-disclosures GerOlt. for
bringing the institution to the notice OF his coy
eminent and endorsing its character rs a m 6ral
law abiding society; and TO Minister Bancroft,
for personally submitting their mission in Ger
many to the proper authorities; and ID the Prus-
sian government, which promptly rcmOvel every
hindTance and obstacle in the Nay.
Some space is. devoted ID his yisitations
South and North, and he speaks Of the
III WHICH ne lOull TIE order
N the States, Territories and provinces,
referring especially ID the prosperity OF the
lodges and encampments OF New Orleans.
DispensaiiOns have been issued II two grand
encamI ments, eight subordinate encampmcntS,
and four lodges. Under the head of Degree OF
Rebekah, he SAYS il should be univerSal-'.it
should not be lett 10 the State grand bodies to
adopt il or not, at their pleasure. Every lodge
in the Union should be in possession OF IL. TO
render il universally serviceable and effective
for good. 1t cannot be denied that il has al
ready proved TO he a great benefit in many
sections of the country. = 1 recon-
mend that regularly constituted Rebekah De-
gree lodges be authorized to pass laws adj
hitting to membership males and females by
a majority vote" He urges the importance
IF the press of the order. He expects the
order TO enlarge its usefulness by establishing
schools, asylums and libraries and refers 10 the
General Relief Associations and charity funds as
having proved OF incalculable benefit where
ever they have been established. The libraries
Of Baltimore, San Francisco, Washington, Bos-
ton and other places show the appreciation Of the
bro tEeTn. He notices the deaths OF Representa-
I've Escavaille and several p. q. Reps, INCLUDE
ing J. r. Piper and John Mills of this city, The
after was one of the early pioneers ef the order
having represented the Grand Lodge of the
District in 1854.