The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-05-28
The Grand Commande-y Knights
TSmplar

Held Its 18th annual session at G ,ianb1.
on Wednesday, Thursday and Fridly Of "a
week The fourteen Comm anderies were req
resented, and all made returns for the past
year, showing average prosperity The open
ing services took place at the Methodist
Chnrch--the Offices OF Devotion used having
been prepared by Sir Federic Speed. of Vieks-
burg, and the music, by a special choir. a.
grand as any to which We have ever had the
pleasure Of listening.
Grand Commander W e. Paxton deliver
ed one Of the best addresses that was ever sub
mitted to the Grand Commandery The
Grand Recorder reported q deaths during the
year l378-21 being from yellow fever tn is
out OF a total membership OF 40 The ann
ual mortality for the seveh years prior to 1873
being only T.
question Of changing the jurisdiction OF
COMMANDERS as to be governed more bv
convenience of access rather than by air lines.
caused considerable discussion. There was
50 much opposition to any change OF the ex-
listing regulation, that the proposition was in
definitely postponed.
The lee for comforting the orders was 80
changed as to make $1,000 the minimum, in
stead Of 5000 as heretofore.
Committees were appointed to make all
necessary preparation for attending the Grand
Encampment in Chicago, in 1880, including
the purchase Of a suitable banner.
The Grand Commandery, by a unanimous
vote, adopted plan for a Knights Templar
Relief Association, and the same was organized
by the election Of w. G.. Paxton, President
J. ). Cain, Vice President; G.. w Cox, F. f.
Whitfield, w. G.. Benbrook Jas T. Meade, I.
A. Phillips, Directors J. l.. Power, Secretary
and Treasurer. Every Knight Templar in
good standing in his Commandery, is eligible
To membership, without regard to age, until
January /, 1850, after which date, no one will
be admitted without medical certificate, and
who is over fifty years Of age. The member
ship fee is S. 90, - 90 OF which is set apart
for the first assessment-the assessment lee,
on each death, being = 90. Ii all the
Templars in Mississippi become members OF
the Association, the aggregate of relief on
each death, will be nearly $1,000 90. Quite
a number have already handed in their names.
An elegant reception at the Gilmer House
was rendered the Grand Commandery be De
Molay Commandery No. s, at which We had
the opportunity of seeing and making the ac-
quaintance of many Of the good people OF Co
lumbus. An ample supply Of the most pala-
table refreshments had been provided and was
dispensed by the ladies.
Responding to a cordial invitation from Ro-
sale Commandery No. 5, seconded by the
Lady Managers Of the Protestant Orphan Asy-
lum Natchez the Grand Commandery resolved
to hold its next concave in Naichez, on the
10Th April, 1880.
The following were elected Grand Officers
for the ensuing year:
c. NJ. Erwin, Winona, Grand Commander
w. q. Benbrook, Martin, Deputy Crane
Commander
RI Hudson, Columbus, Grand General
issimo.
VIM. French, vicksburg, Grand Captain
General.
Rev. R. 5. Woodward, Natchez, Grand
Prelate
+ f. Whitfield, Corinth, Grand Senior
Warden.
\. :. Walker. Port Gibson, Grand Treasurer.
]. L. Power, Jackson, Grand Secretary.
David Carr, Kosciusko, Grand Stannard
| Bearer.
Jas. T. Meade, Tchula Grand Sword
| Bearer.
II. NJ. Romberger, Water Valley, Grand
| Warder.
Jacob PEBBLES, Natchez, Grand Captain Of
! Guard.
Committee on Templar Law. S. Cain, G
! y. Freeman. B. A. Vaughan.
Foreign Correspondence-W. q. Paxton
| Frank Burkitt, T. \. Phillips.