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

CONCLUSlONs
The tables accompanying this report exhib-
1t q very gratifying gain Of 16, 159 members
In the year 1880, greater number than we
lost in the three years preceding. The
Grand and Subordinate Lodges reporting to
the Sovereign Grand Lodge, show al aggre-
gate of 456, 942 members, the largest num-
Der ever returned. From 1865 to 1875 the
Order steadily increased from l53, 594 mem
bers in the former, to 456, 1875 in the latter,
and we now exceed by Sl7 the highest num-
Der heretofore attained, with such assur-
ances as to lead us to believe that the
returns for the year 1881 will present
grand array of at least $50, 900 members.
Add to this the Order in Germany and Aus
tralasia, which will probably number 49,
600, and it will be seen that nearly half
million Of men are to-day active and earnest
workers in the cause of Odd Fellowship.
Within fifty years nearly eighty-three mil
lions of dollars have been paid into the
treasures of Subordinate Lodges and En-
campments, nine hundred aud forty-six
thousand brothers, and one hundred and
twenty seven thousand widowed families
have been relieved, ninety-One thousand
brothers buried, orphans have been clothed
and educated, and in the fulfllment of the
great command of our laW-"Visit the sick,
relieve the distressed, bury the dead and
educate the orphan"-we record thirty-one
millions of dollars expended, besides the
countless thousands of which no just esti-
mate can be made.
The financial condition of this Grand
body is better to-day than ever before; the
receipts OF the year, $S5, 076 80, from ordi-
nary revenue, far exceeding any previous
year in its existence. TIE figures sub
mitted, carefully CLEANED, as they have
been, from the most reliable sources, may
justly excite our pride, and we have right
to exult over the splendid record of the
year; but whilst contemplating the magnif-
cent results that have crowned our efforts
IN the past, we cannot forget that there is
yet more work to do Our field Is bound
less, and, comparatively, but small space
has been cultivated. 1t is your province to
extend the sentiment of brotherhood until
| our spotless banner shall be unfurled 10
every city, town and hamlet of the civilized
earth, for let it be remembered: "Wide as
the world is our scope, and free as the air Is
our welcome to the children OF men,"
That all the labor that has been expended
upon this great Order since the days Of 1919
has not been in vain, is manifested by the
splendid array Of statistics presented to you.
As time rolls on these benefactions 10 the
human race will increase and multiply
a thousand fold, and the humble toiers in
the vineyard Of Odd Fellowship will feel
that they have been abundantly rewarded
of their brethren who have received the
benefits of the Order, and the widows and
orphans that, without this institution, would
have been consigned to the charities of
cold and unfeeling world.
You will doubtless measure up to the full
standard of duty required of you; that there
may be no halt in the march OF Odd Fellow
ship; but that your legislation shall tend to
the improvement Of the Order where it ex-
lists to-day, and extend its operations to
every habitable portion Of the globe, that
its influence may descend
"As the gentle rain from Heaven
Upon the place beneath; twice blessed;
Blessing Him that gives and Him that takes. -
In conclusion, the Secretary deems It
| his duty to state, that, although for several
years the Grand Corresponding and Re
| cording Secretary has been unable to give
any attention to the details of the annual
report from this office, yet the proofs have
been submitted to his inspection and the
work has received his approval. regret to
say that during the last year, it has been
| impossible, on account Of his feeble condi-
tien, to consult with that distin-
guished officer on any matters relating to
| the business Of the office, and this document
| is the first report OF the Grand Secretary
since the organization of "the Grand Lodge
| of Maryland and OF the United States" in
| 1921, submitted without the sanction and
name Of James L. Ridgely; determination
arrived at after consultation with eminent
members of the Order, on whose judgment
| l place the most implicit reliance.
Therefore, as the entire responsibility for
the matter presented in this paper has been
| devolved upon me, | sign it, on behalf of
the Grand Corresponding and Recording
| Secretary.