Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-21

fields OF labor it now occupies, and IN Wnch
IT'S energies have been INCREASINGLY en-
Moved, affords abundant cause Tor conkrat-
,IefiOn. and invOkes the Offering or grateful
hearts to the Supreme Ruler OF tie Universe
for His continued blessings 10 our insutu-
fIon. we cannot rise from the retrospect
yvitbont a feeling Of sorrow that some OF
orr most valued brothers who, short year
400. shared our counsels, rjoiced with US
IN the onward march of our cause, and
Iabored steadily and earnestly for the vel
fare OF the order, have gone to their eternal
We measure the value of this association,
not alone BY the millions of dollars annually
expended for the relief OF suffering
humanity, but, in the language OF one
whose name is "familisr In your mouths as
household words" as an institution that
seeks t'to improve and elevate the character
of man; to Undue him with proper concep-
lions OF his capabilities for good; to en-
tighten his mind: to enlarge the sphere OF
hts affections" How far this great mission
has been accomplished none can tell, but
Who can doubt that much OF good, aside
from the benefits and charities, prescribed
by law, has been achieved through the
operations of this fraternity.
The returns exhibit an addition OF 1905
TO the numerical strength Of the order in the
Jurisdictions reporting to this Grand Lodge.
'Che temples devoted to Odd Fellowship
have been increased, and the three-linked
banner has been unfurled upon heretofore
forbidden soil. Nearly FIVE millions of dol
lars were, during the year 1881, paid into
the treasures OF the subordinate lodges
and encampments aud but little less than
two millions o. dollars were disbursed for
the relief Of the unfortunate. The encamp-
ment branch OF the order has shared In the
prosperity of the subordinate lodges, ad-
Cidipp more than eleven hundred to the
membership, and now numbering nearly
eighty-one thousand patriarchs. And when
to these home returns we add the statistics
of the foreign bodies OF Australia and Ger
many, and, counting the grand aggregate
of the labors Of little more than half cen
tury, we find that eighty-eight millions OF
dollars have been paid into the subordinate
treasures, thirty-three millions expended
for benefits, one million of brothers relieved,
one hundred and thirty-three thousand wild
owed families assisted, ninety six thousand
brothers buried, the figures are simply
| astounding. These grand results cannot
fail to gladden. the heart OF every Odd Eel
| low, and impress him with the firm belief
that however unstable other institutions OF
human origin may be, there is something In
this order, some potent influence for good,
a power that we fail to fully appreciate,
guiding our efforts and directing our ener-
gies into the grand channel Of success.
five continue to adhere to the principles OF
the ritual, keeping aloof from the disturbing
elements that distract and destroy other or
ganiz atoms, we may expect our labors In the
| future to be as bountiiully blessed as our
efforts in the past.
AS the rush light of century ago, throw
| ing It's faint beams into wilderness OF dark
mess, has been superseded by the bright
| electric spark that illuminates, daZZlesI beau
titles and adorns the night, penetrating the
| deepest gloom, and transforming duskY
shades into the brilliancy OF nOondaY-50
with Odd Fellowship. It's feeble beginnings
| IN minfstering 10 the sick and distressed,
| have been multiplied thousand fold, Its
| humble methods OF contributing few pence
| to q wandering brother, have, under wise
regulations and systematic organization,
| assumed proportions that In their magnitude
NAV well astOnsh the world.
With these few general remarks on the
present condition OF the order at home and
abroad, congrstulating you upon the bril-
liant outcome from the labOrs Of the year
that has past, mingling my tears with yours
upon the newly made graves Of our departed
brothers, and with an earnest prayer that
your deliberations may rebound to the well
fare of the institution OF which you are the
head, throughout the world, respectfully
submit this report for the consideration OF
the Representatives assembled.
THE GRAND TREAsURER's REPORT.
The following extracts from the Grand
Treasurer's report will be read with in
terest:
AVAILABLE ASSETS OF THE GRAND LODGE, VIZ.
Cash balance in the treasury S27 ga to
United States 4 per cent. coupon
bonds par value. Observation-Disclosures. o,1UU w
bonds at par Value $4,000 co
Aggregate .-.......... ............ S69, 677 O6
The aggregate assets on 31st Of Au-
gust, 1881, were ........ ............. 53,3b4 bl