The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-19

OpD-FEILowsHIP-THE GRAND LODGE OF
THE UNITED STATEs.-The Grand Lodge
met ut 10 o'clock \. NJ, Grand-Sire j. W.
Stokes in the chair. The credentials OF the
representatives were examined and verl-
fed, and the Grand Sire, at IL o'clock, pro-
-ceeded. to read his annual report. The
Grand Secretary, James l.. Ridgley, and
Grand Treasurer, Hon. Joshua Nansant,
submitted their reports; which were re-
ferred without reading,
The Grand Sire, in his report, says:
"While it's to be regretted that in some
localities the membership has fallen of, the
aggregate returns will exhibit an increased
constituency in both branches over last year
in fhe United States. We have more than
held our own. The ranks that are annually
thinned by death, inability, and indifference
of large class to pay their dues, has been
more than made up with new recruits, pre-
sentiDg to the assembled representatives.
progressive and apprecatiyc constituency,
which, under all the adverse circumstances
that have so long paralvzed theindustrics of
the country, is cause OF congratulaton."
T. The returns give the following condition
OF the order: Grand lodges, As; Subordi-
nate lodges, 6.67S; grand encampmentS.
SOC; lodge limitations, 40,G4G; lodge-mem-
bers, 456, 12j; ampmcnt-members. ST.
7S5; expended for relief, S1,GS9, 1862;
total revenue, S4,4S9, ST2 .46-showing an
increase Of 2S3 lodges, 80 encampments, and
1,436 Iodge-members. There was decrease
in limitations OF 9,397, Of $9.3S3.30 in
amount paid for relief, and S22i, 1924 in
revenue.
New lodges were instituted in Amster
dam, Holland; Lima, Peru; aud Calloa,
South America. Many decisions on impor-
tant questions were made during the year,
and correspondence is noted with grand
bodies in various parts OF the world.
The venerable secretary closes by saying:
1--WE have not only met all the demands OF
the sick and the needy in our seven thou
sand lodges and our two thousand encamp-
ments, but have contributed to such other
objects Of general benevolence as our means
would allow. The condition of the order
is Just subject Of congratulation to its
friends. There is nothing to excite its fears
or to create anxiety for its future. On the
contrary, its career is suspicious in the
highest degree. Ranking among the strong
est organizations Of the kind in the world,
it maintains its prestige triumphantly, and
beyond Il satisfactory examination OF its
system OF Dues and Benefits and
their proper reconstruction, needs no
organic legislation. This, although a
pressing and vital subject, with view to
It's permanent existence, is rather ques-
ton Of calm and considerate reform than OF
addressing itself to the prac-
teal sense and wisdom OF its rulers, in
volving as it does the life and death OF Odd
Fellowship. which is inseparably Blended
with sound finances and stable system OF
{ Dues and Benefits
The report OF Grand-Treasurer Vansant
gives the figures showing the financial ope-
rations OF the year, the totals of which are
seen in the Grand Sirc's report. He suS-
gests "the expcdiency OF authorizing the
Grand Treasurer to dispose OF such amount
OF the bonds of the Grand Lodge rs may be
necessary to meet any deficiency OF cash
moneys in the treasury; and, also, in the
contingency OF the General Government
calling in any OF its bonds now held by the
Grand Lodge, that lie be authorized, at his
discretion, to reinycst the sum received for
such bonds in other Government securi-
ties"
Judge Fitzhugh, OF Richmond. is chair
man OF the Committee on the Judiciary.