Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1874-10-14

orEN1So OF THE ANNUAL SESSION, THIS MORNING
REPORT OF THE N. W. GRAND MASTER, &o.
The Right Worthy Grand Lodge, 1. o. O. F.,
of Delaware, opened its annual session in Odd
Fellows Hall, this morning, at 10 o'clock. Most
Worthy Grand Master E. F. Jamesjpresided. The
attendance was good, something over 60 men,
bers, representing 22 Of the go subordinate
lodges in the State, being present.
Forty-one new members were admitted.
Reports of the Grand Lodge officers were read
and referred to special committee for distri-
button of the subjects treated to appropriate
committee. Joshua Maris is chairman OF the
special committee.
In his report the Most Worthy Grand Master
regrets that the work in the Jurisdiction for the
past year does not show better results in muni-
cipal increase and growth. He feels, however,
that the year has not been barren of good, and
that the decrease in membership has been COM
pensated partially at least by the growth in real
efficiency in work. This is particularly true of
Kent and Sussex counties. The decrease in men,
bership the Grand Master says, j. not altogether
owing to the withdrawal OF membership during
the past year, nor to falling Off in the applica-
tons for membership, but is in part owing to a
careful pruning and cutting off OF dead branch
en- by the Lodges, under the new system of re-
porte. Nor does he see any cause for discour-
agement in the outlook. The financial depres-
sion affected the society interests well as the
business, and has prevented many persons from
entering the Lodges particularly in this city.
During the year the Grand Master has visited
all the lodges in the State, separately and has
illustrated, or caused to be illustrated, the UNI
written work. These visits he thinks do great
amount OF good, and should be made frequent
ly
The condition of the membership OF the Grand
Lodge ia set forth by the Right Worthy Grand
Secretary in his report, from which We extract
the following
No. OF Lodges. Observation-Disclosures. W
Tpfft tfnteu ht1ri laa
Admitted by card ,.....,.......,......... 10
Reinstated. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 32
Total gain. Observation-Disclosures. ia
Withdrawn by card. rd...........,........... II
suspended. .......... Observation-Disclosures. lI6
Expelled d-......,..........., ......, '..'. 8
Deaths. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ~
Total decrease. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 2l7
- Neb uecrehse. -. .''''.. o
The present membership in the State is 2677,
498 of whom are in the lnitiatOry grade 81 IN
the White 292 in the Pink 81 in the Royal
Blue 1l6 in the Green us IN the scarleti and
715 in the Past Grand. The report of 80 Lodges
shows an average membership OF 81 years.
The Relief Account shows the following
No. Of Brothers relieved. d................... 500
" Widowed families relieved. .......... SO
" Weeks sickness. s...............,.....l9 l942
" Brothers buried, ed,........,........... 10
Amount paid for relief of brothers. . Ss,920 OF
" widowed families . COS 10
" for burial ........ 2,156 IS
Donated Tor charitable purposes. 65300
Total for relief ief.................S12 S12 238 II
For other expenses s............,..... l2'225 90
Total expenses. es...................s2 .s24,4 ,46s 60
Amount of receipts. s................ IA ,496 81
Excess of expenses over receipts. ... 50, 1857 Is
The value Of the productive property is thus
stated
Personal Property SI5, Ile oU
ltea Estate. - 9aS ~ ~
otOcks. .............,.. ~ oVz'Vu
Bonds. O,ol5, ~
Notes. ...-...'....,..'....''.- .',Iddu ~
Mortgages. es...........,.,.. lo,ooo IL
lOthl fhlue. e.......... NO@iAVN' ~
The financial condition OF the Grand Lodge is
represented to be very good. Since the last
meeting the funded debt has been paid OH, and
considerable amount of the current expenses
| liquidated