The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-11-28
,THHE GOOD TEmpLARs.
GREETINGS FROM DISTANT
GRAND LODGES TO THE VIRGINIA LODGE.
ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE MEETINGS
YEsTERDAY-THE WORK OF THE ORDER
Observation-Disclosures PAPERS READ.

The Grand Lodge, pursuant to adjourn
ment, met at a. NJ. Yesterday.
The following additional delegates re-
ported-viz.: Dr.. J. n. Evans, John w.
Edwards, A q. Anderson, o. T. Evans,
A. K. Heflin, N. F. Sanford.
4 number OF communications were re-
ceivcd, read, and appropriately disposed Of.
Amongst them was the following teIe-
gram from N. W. Smeatt, secretary Grand
Lodge OF AlaIama:
Alabama sends greeting. Read Forty
first Psalm, first verse"
The following telegram was also received
from }. W. Casey. secretary OF the Grand
Lodge OF Canada. Napance. Ontario:
1.-The Grand Lodge CT Ontario, now in
session, sends its congratulations to their
brethren and sisters in Virginia. See chap
ter j.. verse g.. IT. 'fbessa'onians."
The secretary ~as ordered to make suit
able replies 10 the teiegrans.
Some OF the communications propose ms
terial amendments to The constitution and by
laws; which, as they viii come up from the
committee, we viii not now report.
A committee OF five was ordered to be
raised to consider and report upon the
Statc-lcctu:e system.
ANNUAL REPORT OF CHEF TEMpLAE.
The Grand Worthy Chief Templar read
his annual report, from which wc make the
following extracts:
4 few years Hgo Our order in Virginia
vas weak. and appeared 10 many rs uninl-
portant. To-day it has asserted and main
tanned its claim 10 the respect and consid-
Grafton OF the n0b!cst and best in our land.
1t was confined TO narrow strip Of our
Piedmont region. Now It extends from
tI,a Cj.yCn~poI,o -, t,o Il
from tic Aii"ghanics 10 the Carolina line.
Then it was Strug9 ling for existence; now
it haS become Il Wc!i-knoWn organization
and cherished Institution for Il large por-
ton OF Our people. This has rot been &C.
compiisEi"d without, bard work on the part
OF its adhcreas, and we now rejoice in the
vigorous and bealiitiul growth OF the order
in the State. Many d!sappOintmcn!s have
surrounded the successful prosecution OF
our cause. Chief among these was the con-
tinucd depression in business circles that
has marked the present year, the almost to-
Ia! failure OF crops III some portions OF the
State, together with great Enarcial embar-
rasmcnts in ncavly every portion. Other
ca;lscs are given, but most stress is laid Oh
those enumerated above.
In regard 10 the
LECTURE SYSTEM,
he says that the action OF tie meeting at
Staun,on was Wise and jGdicions, but owing
to unforeseen obstacles al was not accAc!-
plishcd that WAS hoped OF expected. Five
lecturers were placed in the tield-brotEcrS
Of Known zeal and abiiily-and !t was hoped
that every section OF the state would have
been visited and our cause advocated
throughout our entire section. The brcth-
rem selected were not able to give their iull
tine TO the cause, but had the case been
different tie great success which has accom-
panied their partial efforts shows what
might have been the result under different
circumstances.
WORK OF THE LECTURERS.
The Chief Templar then speaks OF the
individual work OF the different lecturers
Mcssrs. w. Il. Stokes. W. W. Wood, Ro-
bert McCandlish. r. II. Ramsay, and the
late J. Bovd Healy, who died while in har-
ness. They instituted the following num-
brr OF subordinate lodges Stokes, 81 :;
Wood, Is; McCandlish. l; Ramsay, l..
Other workers in the field have done much
and valuable service in this direction.
All the lodges could not be visited, and
many are wanting help in this way, and it
is for this lodge, in its wisdom, to devise
some means by which aid may be rendered
them in this regard. The Chief Tcmp'ar
recommends a careful d>trcting OF the
State, and lecturer assigned 10 each, and
that they be pad in proportion to the
amount CT work performed, and that the
very best agents be selected for the work.
Seeing the necessity for pushing this branch
OF their labors. he most strongly urges it
upon the consideration Ct the mcmbe.s.
The interest in tie Cause :ayocatcts by THIS
order is increasing year u year, not only in
our own State, but throughout the Union,
and indeed throughout al christcndom.
Our order, that now extends to every quar-
ter of the habtable globe, Justly holds ;hc
front rank in the temperance reform or to-
day. This temperance question which we
are advocating is indeed becoming the most
important and imperative now beng SUB
mitted TO the judgment OF mankind. We
might consider tho power OF our orae, ab-
soutely unlimited il every officer and mem
Der recognized the full force and scope OF
their obligations.
THE LODGE DEPUTIES.
The lodge deputies have generally well
performed their duties, though some have
shown great carclessntSS and indifference,
especially in making their reports OF work
done. He makes y number Of suggestions
for improycment in the working Of the or
der. and cites sever. decisions which he has
been called Oh to make during his term OF
service.
COMPLIMENTS.
| The Chief TempIar pays compliment TO
his brother officers, more especially to tue
secretary. He says: " His clear judgment,
prompt business habits, and accurate know
| ledge OF the wants Of The order In this State,
have been invaluable TO me-" He cites the
work which he has done during bis term OF
office. He has visited lodges and delivered
pubIic addresses in twelve counties and IN
! Richmond and Fredericksburg. The report
is too long for our columns, and we present
the above as only a meagre synopsis. Much
is discussed in it which pertains solely to
the order, and the recommendations OF the
various committees to whom it was referred
will come up in regular order. 1t covers
the whole field of labor. and the maturcd
sentiments contained therein cannot but be
O, valuable service to the order II they are
needed.
| OTHER PAPERS.
The secretary read his report, synopsis
of which we published on yesterday.
Mr.. w. r. Stokes read very lengthy re,
rort Of work done during the year, aho
| suggestions for future work.
The report was received and reierreu 10
the Committee on the Lecture system.
The report of the representatives to the
Right Worthy Grand Lodge in May last,
| held at Minneapolis, was then read. Ine
report presented several proposed amend.
meDts to the constitution OF the Crane
Lodge, which will come before this bod!
| Srr rofif rnia ,yrt