The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-25
B N Al BERTH.
Convention Of the Independent Order Of Bnai
Berth" at Chicago-sketch Of the Order.

convention OF the Independent Order OF bnai
Berth" at Chicago-sketch Of the Order.
To-day ut noon the delegates OF the 2O6 lodges
composing this order viii assemble at the Chicago
Music Hail. and will frame such amendments to
the laws as TO their wisdom shall seem fit. Five and
half years ago similar convention was held IN
New York.
SKETCH OF THE oRDRR.
The Bnai Berth, or 'tS0ns OF the .Covenantn Is
an organization OF American Israelites now num-
bering fully 10000 members From the preamble
to the constitution, from which we extract, the
exact objects Of the Order can be ascertained:-
The Independent Order Bnai Berth having
taken upon itself the mission OF uniting the Sons
OF Israel in the sacred work OF promoting The
highest interests of humanity, especially to allie
viate the wants OF the poor and needy, to visit
and attend the sick to protect and assist the
and elevate the mental and moral character
OF our race by liberal support OF science and art
and the inculcatlOn OF the hottest and purest prin
clp'es OF philanthropy, honor and patriotism and
above all to promugate the sublime and eternal
defend, preserve and diiiuse the faith Of our
fathers In society at large as the very embodimenr
Of ali those dictates Of humanity-hods the follow
ing cardinal principles.
It then declares such general doctrines as that
"all men are brothers," the social relations
among individuals should be regulated by the die
tates Of love-" and finally that "the divine and
everlasting doctrines OF JUDAISM are the basis OF
all civilization and enlightenment" &c. The order
Is thus entirely Jewish in its character, differ
ing from the Masons and Odd Fellows, which are
open to all sects It y secret IN its character hay:
ing form Of initiation, eaths, degrees signs and
passwords, the ceremonials hardly reaching the
solemnity OF the Masons, but yet sufficiently im-
posing for their purpose.
The Order is devoid entirely OF any political sig
table in its SCOPE. ' Nc brother assumss any oS
CATION inconsistent with his duties as citizen OF
the Republic or as member OF his synagogue or
temple.
There are at present 2o6 lodges, averaging 100
members each; few reaching tue number OF $50.
many having less than So The oldest lodge and
the youngest lodge have their seats in New York
''New York, NO. l." installed in 1S43 having go
members and an aggregate of $4,000 in funds, and
thirty-seven members and no funds as yet.
The Order was founded IN 1S43 by few New
Workers, headed by a man OF much intelligence
and benevolence-Henry Jones. 1t may have had,
at starting, a platform somewhat opposed to Ma
sorry, but the feeling quickly was subdued, and 1t
entered upon field OF its own in no wise opposed
to other organizations, but peculiarly distinct
being started in Cincinnati JlS49), Philadelphia
us50) and Louisville QS52). Its advantages were
quickly appreciated by the sraelites OF this cOun-
try so that now there Is lodge in nearly every
state and city or importance.
Mucn impetus was given to it between the years
1860 and 1868 by the efforts of Maurice Mayer, now
deceased, learned gentleman, who acted as
Grand Secretary for some time, and OF b. F.
Peixotto, now Consul at Bucharest, who was
Grand Saar (PresdenN for three years, and in
such capacity travelled about the country intusng
great interest IN the organization. since 1868
BY the present President and Secretary, julius
Blen and MOritz Ellinger; and the Jewish press
have kept the fraternity so prominently before
their readers that it Is not surprising that the in
crease OF members has been 50 marked. The az
gregate funds amount to $500. 0O0
The Order is divided into seven Grand Lodges,
arranged geographically; New York. New jersey
ana the Eastern states constituting District h MOI
Order. There is Court of Appeals to decide
litgated questions, the "Chief Justice" being eX-
Recorder Rosendale Of Albany The supreme
authority is the CONSTITUTION Grand Lodge" which
meets every five years, and Is represented officially
by the Executive Committee with President
Vice President, Secretary and four members. The
Grand Lodge officers are thus nalmed:- "Grand
Treasurer), ''Grand sopher'' secretary, &c The
Convention will probably abolish these names
which are unnecessary and have no special slgnlf-
canoe.
THE WORK OF THE CONVENTION.
The Chicago Convention Will be week in ses-
sion. or course many propositions of routine
character will be presented, but OF the more i'm
pG.' n s M the the rtus ana ceremonies
q TO abolish the secret character Of the organi-
g. TO have general endowment law, by which
all the brethren shall contribute small sum at the
death OF brother, to the end that his widow may
receive $1,000.
4. TO establish home for the aged and needy Of
the Order.
s. To support more generally the Hebrew Orphan
Asylum at Cleveland and enlarge 1t SO that it may
accommodate 500 children.
g. TO establish an Official journal.
Z. To be represented in the Centennial Exhibit
ton in Philadelphia.
g. To establish an institute of learning.
g. To take action as to the condition OF suffering
Israelltes abroad.
1t will thus be seen that there is quite impOr.
try win look with much interest to the proceed.
ings The endowment matter Is one in which the
brethren of the Order are especially Interested Tor
1t Is species OF life insurance that Is quite attract
i've. In many lodges the endowment dues are paid
out OF the funds, the members paying SUFFICIENT
annually to cover assessment for deaths. men,
Der thus secures lie policy OF $1,000 on an annual
premium OF from ten to fifteen dollars Added to
which are the social and literary advantages which
IN sickness or distress. such as make them desr-
able to many citizens.