Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-23

Total relief, Dec. 81, '79.........S1,7 14.sO5 OF
Total relief, Dec. 81, 'S0.......... l,6S7,o55 50
Decrease. 27,149 10
Total revenue, Dec. 81 20. .89i, 215 IS
Total revenue Dec. 81, 'S0.......... 4594, or 50
Increase. -. .....................S 2O2.sO7 81
At the date this report went to press, Au-
gust Goth, the Grand Secretary advised me
that the reports of two Grand Eucampments
had not been received. II the returns from
those Jurisdictions had been forwarded in
time, some of the items in the above table,
for the year $780, would have been in
creased. On this subject, l may say that l
am informed that the reports of several
grand bodies, some Of them the most I'm
portant jurisdictions, were not received I'M
til late day in August. The law requires
returns to be In the hands of the Grand Cor
responding and Recording Secretary by the
LIST day Of April bylaws, article X, and
| there seems to be no reason, If the "instruc
| lions" printed on the blank forms are sd-
hered to, Why the reports cannot be placed
| in the hands of the Grand Secretary in less
| than seven or eight months after the close
Of the year.
THE REVISED WORK.
And now what has been the result Of the
| adoption of the revised work. The answer
| may be found In the manner In which 1t has
been received by the fraternity. 1t has been
criticised and subjected to the severest
ordeal, but has generally received the appro-
baton OF the brotherhood. A new interest
in Lodge and Encampment work has been
created, a larger attendance of members
| secured, ante-rooms heretofore vacant have
| been crowded with candidates, and scores
| have taken the new degrees, who, in all
| probability, would never have advanced be-
| yond the initiatory. In the adoption Of the
new work by the Sovereign Grand Lodge at
| Toronto, the order, In my judgment, has
been greatly benefited, and the work as
| finally completed will constitute a monu-
ment to the learning, zeal and ability Of the
distinguished brothers who composed the
Revision Committee.
OFFICE OF GRAND C. AND r. SECRETARY.
1t will be the cause of deep regret, pain
| and sorrow to every member OF this Grand
body, and to the brotherhood generally, to
| learn that our venerable Grand Secretary,
Bro. James L. Ridgely, continues in feeble
health. The prayer of every member Of the
| Order, which he has so long and faithfully
served is, that he may yet be restored to
vigorous health, and be enabled to resume
| the position, whose duties, for more than
| forty years, he has discharged with an abil-
ity and fidelity which will never be sur
passed, If ever equalled, by those who may
follow him.
In consequence of the continued sffllction
of Bro Ridgely, the duties of the Office
OF Grand Corresponding and Recording
Secretary have fallen upon and been en-
tirely performed by your most efficient As
sistant Grand Secretary, Bro. Theodore A.
| Ross.
The lshGrs of the Office during the past
/ year, by reason of the "Revised Work."
| have been largely augmented. In view of
the increased labor thus devOlved upon him,
and which he has so efficiently and salts
factorily performed, would most respect
fully suggest and recommend he be paid
| such compensation, additional to his salary,
as to you may seem just and proper.
FINANCIAL.
The financial condition Of the Grand
Lodge is highly satisfactory. The state
ments of the Grand Secretary and Grand
Treasurer show larger amount Of cash as.
sets than this body has in any previous year
OF it's existence possessed. The accumula-
ton, of course, resulted from the adoption
of the revised rituals. and while the aggre
gate of receipts is large, the tax has not
been burdensome upon any subordinate.
The surplus should be carefully guarded,
for while the ordinary receipts are insuttici-
ent to meet the annual expenses, there must
of necessity be o constant diminution of the
invested funds; to what extent depends
upon the action OF the Sovereign Grand
Lodge.
During a portion of the year have been
quite Ill, and unable to give such attention
to my voluminous correspondence as It
merited; indeed, for weeks | was unable to
hold a pen l therefore ask the indulgence
| ILL., hoxTa foil I'D fCr fUnW
| plies to their letters. That have not been
able to accomplish more since ! accepted
this high office, Is my misfortune rather
than my fault; the will has not been want
ing, but my physical condition has not been
equal to the demands.
| A year ago we met in the beautiful city of
Toronto, in the Dominion OF Canada, well
coined to Ontario by the authorities, the
brotherhood and the citizens, with an earn
estness and cordially that must ever be re-
membered. The session was memorable
one in many respects. Aside from the i'm
portant business transacted, and the fact
that 1t was the first session Of the Sovereign
Grand Lodge held outside of the United
States, the courtesies extended during the
week, your own recognition of the hospi-
talities bestowed, by the presentation Of
elegantly bound volumes of your proceed
ings to the authorities Of the Province, the
city and others, and the gift by the officers
and members Of a handsome and valuable
Grand Masters Jewel to the Grand Lodge
of Ontario, were events Of no ordinary inn
portance.
To-day, after an absence of thirty-one
years, we are assembled In the magnificent
Queen City of the West-the far-famed
Cincinnati, In the State OF Obio-the geo
graphical centre of fifty millions of in
habitants Of the United States OF America,
and your reception here by your brethren
OF the Order, by the city authorities, and
others, is as cordial as warm hearts and
open hands can render.
But you have met here, not merely to
participate in the entertainments that have
been so lavishly provided for your pleasure
and comfort, but to legislate for the best
interests of the great brotherhood you rep
resent; to shape the future of this Order,
that it may continue to prosper as the years
roll on, aud you may hand 1t down to pos
terity grander and better Qf possible) than
you received 1t from those who have gone
before.
To men who by long service have attained
the proud positions OF representatives to
this Grand Lodge, word Of admonition
from me may seem preposterous, yet pardon
me IL say trust your legislation will be
| marked by careful discrimination against
all projects OF doubtful utility; that you
will weigh carefully all matters presented
to you, rejecting the bad and holding fast
| to the meritorious, and thus deserve the re-
spect and confidence of the entire Order,
which watches with earnest eyes the delibe-
rations of this Supreme tribunal OF Odd
| Fellowship.
That you wifi be faithful to the trust con-
fided to you DO not doubt, and 1t is my
earnest hope that the record Of the fifty
| seventh annual session Of this body will be
at laest the equal In wisdom and intelligence
of any Of the many communications that
have preceded 1t.
GRAND TREAsURER's REPORT.
We make the following extract from the
Grand Treasurer's report as showing the
CONDITION OF THE TREASURY.
1881. Aug. 81. Cash balance, as
per tabular statement. ......... So, 6A 81
United States bonds at par value.... S1,70O 90
TOTAL. ss-' PoOfOVF Va
CONDITION OF THE TREASURY AS COMPARED WITH
THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR.
1881. Aug 81. Amount of cash and
faoo Au1 Al Amount of cash and