Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-11-30

MEETING OF THE GRAND LODGE IN
sTAUNToN-REPORTs OF THE CHIEF
TEMPLAR AND sECRETARY-RAPID IN
CREASE OF THE ORDER,
&C., &C, sc.
In consequence of the delay of members
by flood detained trains, the Grand Lodge
Of Virginia Of Independent Order Of Good
Templars could not assemble in Temper
ance Hall Until PM, at which hour the
Lodge was opened with the following Of
fcers present: &. W. Chief Templar, DE-
VIM S. Christian, of Urbana; Vice TEN
plar, Mrs. G. C. Janney, of Lincoln; T. q
w. c., Geo. A. Flooding; Chaplain, Rev
W. W. Wood, of Locust Hill; Secretary
Geo. W. Hawxhurst, of Fauquier; Treasu-
rer, Mrs. Fanny Bowman, of Vienna;
Marshal, DR.. G. G. Barbour, of Aide; 1.
G., George Mankin, of Aide; o. e., M.
N. Frasher, Of Wadesville; Messenger.
Robt. K. Rice, Of Staunton; Deputy Mar
shall. Miss Matte Clarke, of Staunton;
Asst Secretary, J. Rice Smith, of Berry
vile, and Councillor, Heber Ker, of
| Staunton.
There were 56 lodges represented by 81
delegates.
| Yesterday morning the
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY,
| Geo. W. Hawxhurst, for the past year was
read. He calls attention to the fact that
| five years ago this body met in Staunton
with barely a quorum, only seven lodges
being represented, the order in the State
at that time numbering only Hodges and
500 members. It was welcomed here by
| West Augusta Lodge, which was weak.
To-day it has 1876 lodges, with $500 mem
bers, and West A ugusta Lodge is now not
only strong, but has Mizpah at it's side.
Then the order existed in only 8 counties,
now it spreads over 43 counties.
THE STATISTICS OF MEMBERSHIP.
The number of members at the session
of the Grand Lodge last year was 1858;
initiated during the year, 3,469; admitted
by card, 1O9; re-instated, 20S-total 9,644.
The losses during the past year have been:
by withdrawal from the Virginia lodges,
175; by withdrawal from the order, 1876;
suspended, 1 1888; expelled, 321; by surren-
der of charter. 6S1, and by death, 20-total'
3,O31. Total present membership, 6,6l5-
a gain Of 755 over last year.
The number Of lodges at the last session
was ITO, instituted during the year 63 and
reorganized total ia. The loss was
by surrender Of charter 7, by forfeiture OF
charter 11-total 1s' Whole number Of
| lodges at present 1855, a gain Of 46 over last
| year.
Manassas, Excelsior, Cold Water, Mas
sanutten, Hampton, Bethel and Ella lodges
surrendered their charters, and Chantllly
Crusade, Covington, Emmsdale, Elk Run
Dawn Of Hope, Hopeful, Keysville, Love,
Potomac and Hope lodges forfeited theirs.
Secretary Hawxhurst says that the fact
that the membership does not increase in
proportion to the increase of lodges is prob
ably in consequence Of suspension of mem
bers for non-payment of dues. He urges
that care be exercised in these suspensions
and quotes the law to the effect that q
member must have been delinquent for six
months and been duly notified before being
suspended. He recommends plan now in
operation in some lodges in which visi-
ting committee Of three brethren and three
sisters have charge Of visiting those Who
do not attend the meetings regularly, and
which has worked we'll.
AGOOD FINANCIAL REPORT.
The receipts Of the lodge for the year
have been as follows Balance on hand at
last session ss47 80, Grand Lodge tax 81
264,76 sales of supplies s247 %, Grand
Lodge fees, last session $40, charter fees.
balances $50, 40-total So, 450,77. The ex-
penses, including 1884 for Grand Lodge
supplies, 800 for Grand Lodge tax, 1882 to
J. L. Divine State Lecturer, S107 to Robt.
McCandlish State Lecturer, $3.50 to DR..
| Christian, G.. W. g. T., and $500 salary to
! the Secretary and various expenses for
printing, travelling. &C., make total of
81 900, 80, leaving balance On hand of
&1.453 80.
The assets of the Grand Lodge amount to
81. 81. SO while its liabilities are only So, 55
leaving balance in its favor of 81, 1857 "a.
County Lodges have been established in
Middlesex, Gloucester, Lancaster and
Botetourt, and Clarke, Frederick, Warren
and Shenandoah, have united in one.
The Grand Lodge of Virginia pays more
| in to the Right Worthy Grand Lodge 1.-THE
Lodge of the world, in proportion to It's
membership than any other Grand Lodge
Eight new halls have been built within
the year.
REPORT OF THE GRAND WORTHY
CHIEF TEMPLAR,
The report of DR.. w. S. Christian, G
w. G. Tenpiar, for this, the tenth year OF
the Lodge, speaks most encouragingly OF
the work Of the year, the progress having
been great in spite Of political excitement
and financial distress, but for which sever
al thousand members would baye been ad
ded in Virginia, He speaks in high terms Of
the efforts Of State Lecturers, Divine anG
McCandlish, and the work Of District Dep
uties J. B. Healy W. T. Stokes, J. Rice
Smith, Hebar Ker, Dill, Hull any Butts
In the matter Of the jurisdiction Of County
Lodges he says he has decided that it il
only such as subordinate lodges may elect
to surrender TO than, and he refers the
the matter to the Grand Lodge. He IA
vors the adoption Of a beneficiary system
He refers to the lodge q communication
about establishing Grand Lodge of "Trut
Reformers'' for colored people, and anothe
communication from Texas relative to
| oo.- v7ent;cn n ha held A. Oh ttenoooa Tam