, 1878-10-03

members In our noble Order to-day who
have been suspended and expelled since
this Grand Lodge was formed, we could
present to the world such an army of tenn
prranCc men and women, aud WELD such
4 power as to close mp every beer shop
and whSkcy saloon in W.. 7. and b. c.;
We are Tot alone in this matter; there are
other Grand Lodges troubled with this
same difficulty. In the Grand Lodge re-
port OF Wisconsin, for 1877, | find that
during five years their loss was not less
than 10000. This was principally through
suspensions and cXpulsons. also find
/ in the Grand Lodge report OF Pennsylya-
mia, for 1877, that during the past year
they have suspended no less than 1000
members. This is sad state OF affairs,
which should cause us to put our heads
and hearts to work. and with the blessing
of our Heavenly Father. endeavor to adopt
some measures to stay this destructive
waste. believe one way of lessening it
would be the establishing ota
BENEFICIARY DEGREE,
In connection with our order. / know
there ARE those of high standing, and of
great experience, who are opposed to such
n degree, nevertheless believe in common
with hundreds of Others in our noble Or
der, including Il large number of our
members with whom have conversed on
the subject during the past year, that we
require something of this kind in conncc-
tion with our organization. feel certain
ii persons joining our order had the privi-
lege OF subscribing to a degree which
would enttle them to benefits in case of
sickness they would be more careful not to
violate their obligation so readily; would
not take otfense at little things, and where
we now have one hundred suspensions,
we would then believe not have more
than twenty-five.
In my report last year advocated this
question, and am happy to say the
Grand Lodge took n favorable view of the
subject, and reported the matter to the
| r. w. G.. L., what action that honorable
body has taken, am not in a position to
stade as have not yet received report.
But suposng they disallow it; that will
not be any reason for us to drop the sub
ject II we believe it essential in the inter
ests of our order in this part of the world.
Then let us agitate the question, and pc
! tition the II. w. G. L., for permission to
establish such degree. As | said last
year, so repeat, believe it would be an
additional tie to bind our members togeth
er, and at the same time be calculated to
bring into our order class whose influ-
ence would be beneficial to the Temper
ance movement.
OFFICIAL ORGAN.
We should have an official newspaper or
gan. We cannot prosper without it. The
power and influence of q sound Temper
ance journal can scarcely be overestimat-
ed. ! lear there is great neglect on our
part in reference to this matter. One
reason why so many of orr members be-
come careless and backside as it were from
their Temperance principles, is because
they seldom if ever read Temperance
book or paper. | think it is as essentlal
to success for the Temperance man to read
Temperance literature as it is for the
Christian to read his bible. l trust some
action will be taken, at this session, OH
this subject.
POLITICAL ACTION.
While we are not political organization,
we do not believe the Government should
grant licenses for the sale of Intoxicating
liquors as beverage; and, as we have
pledged ourselves to use every Legitimate
means in our power to Danish intemper-
ance, think we would only be trying to
carry ont that pledge more fully II we
were. at this session, to take some firm
political action. | think it is high time
we bestirred ourselves to do more than
simply meet in our lodge rooms once
week. Let us try and show our enemies
that we are power not to be deSplSed.
Let us petition our Senate, our LegisIat-
ure, call our conventions, and agitate and
labor for nothing short OF prohibitions.
CORRESPONDENCE.
During the year have correSponded
with all the Lodges in the jurisdiction,
with the exception of two or three.
Here may remark on the reception OF
communication from the G.. w. 5, 10 the
effect that Skagit lodge was in very I'M
satisfactory condition, and that il should
be visited at once. | found myself in
position. just at that time. which made it
impossible tor me to leave home. | inn
mediately wrote to some Of the Brethren