Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-03-05
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HALL OF PROTECTOR LODGE.
No. Dis l. q. of C. Z

NO. 2iS 1. ". OF u. L.
To the officers aud Members Of HancocI
County Lodge-Greeting
Your committee on State of the Order
would respectfully submit the following re.
port:
We have received returns from nine
Lodges only. There were lG Lodges In
the county at the October session of the
Grand Lodge. Several Lodges have been
organized since, SO we are unable to make
report OF the actual condition of the Or
der at this date. From those who have re-
ported. we learn. that at the beginning OF
the quarter there were 52l members Dur
ing the quarter "a were admitted. 10 with
drew, and 40 were expelled. Only one
death has occurred. The present number
Is therefore 504. Those Lodges who have
reported are in growing aud prosperous
condition. Figures do not always tell the
actual condition of the order. ia man
has two good sound limbs. he il in better
condition than one who has a dozen par
alyzed limbs. We are convinced that il is
not the duty of any Lodge to bear the our
den of dozen paralyzed members. The
Lodge will thrive better to lop off the dead
limbs. This, however should be done with
prudence, and not until vigorous efforts
have been made TO resuscitate them
Hamilton Lodge, No. IS. of West Els
worth, reports 81 members expelled. and
at the same time reports the condition o 1
tie Lodge hopeful with 81 living members.
Lodges would do well to av Did such whole
sale amputations. by taking measures to
prevent disease in its first stages before
gan.rene takes place.
Hamilton Lodge reports the largest
number, viz: 81. Peuobseot Bav Lodge
comes next with SO members; Eggemog-
gin. next with IS members; Forest Flower
Lodge OF Otis, reports the smallest No
VIZ 81. We trust the Flower will grow.
10 promote the interests of the Order.
II IL necessary that nothing be introduced
into the Lodge that will prove detrimental
to 1t. Nothing that will offend a single
member should be for one moment tolera
ted. Temperance is our main plank not
pleasure. Our Order has tendency TO
promote sociality; this is one secret of onr
power. 1t is natural for humanity 10 be
sociable; moroseness and asceiicism are
repugnant TO it. The most dangerous fea-
tnre of intemperance is Its sociableness
IL Is proper FOR every Lodge to make its
sessions as sociable and interesting as pos
sible vet there is a bound beyond which
we canno; go without injury to the Order.
The Apostolic rule should be practic.d
IF meat make my brother TO offend will
eat no meat" sc. So II any form Of So
ciality offend il should be suppressed. The
question is not whether such a thing i. in
nocent, or harmful; but will 1t offend the
conscience of any one. Dancing. card
playing. theatrical performances. and the
like. are offensive TO a large number of our
members. Christians cannot tolerate these
things because they believe them to be
wrong; and il they are allowed. It will
drive all Christians from the Order. We
do earnestly hone that such things so man
iiestly injurious will not be permitted by
any OF our Lodges.
The lookout on the whole is hopeful
We learn that Bro. +. S. Dean has institu-
ted new Lodges on Mt. Desert We have
no report from them, but shall have in due
time. We have in the Governors chair a
Past Grand Worthy Chief Templar OF our
Order; one who will do all in his power
for the cause of temperance. Already he
has issued special orders 10 the Sherifrs to
enforce the liquor law. IL is being done in
most OF the counties, and we expect il will
be done In Hancock. Submitted in Faith.
Hope and Charity.
A. BRAGDoN.
e. +. WARE.
PELEG G.. STAPLES