The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-13
SONS OF THE COVENANT.
Representatives of fine Brethren of the
Bna Birth Meet In Conventions
A Decrease in Membership and Receipts
Reported, and the Probable Causes for
the Falling OH Discussed.


The thirty-third annual meeting of District
Grand Lodge, No. 2, Independent Order OF
B'nai B'rith-Sons of the Covenant-began in
Baldwin Block yesterday morning at 10 o'clock.
There were sixty delegates present. The at
tendance was, for unknown causes, smaller than
was expected. A full representation would
ESve numbered eighty delegates. There was
spirited interest manifested in the business OF
the meeting, however. and the proceedings were
of something more than usual Importance.
After the formal opening of the session the
President of the Grand Lodge. Henry Mack, of
Cincinnati, delivered his annual address The
order in this district. Mr. Mack said. has made
no progress during the last year There have
been no new lodges, yet all the old ones have been
retained. There has been a decrease of
ffty-tsvo in the number Of members leaving a
membership of 3, 1873. The funds in the treasury
have been reduced 81 sl2 q, leaving an aggregate
of 1922 76l9 90. 81 would rather not have placed
before you such an unfayorable showing" said
the president, 'bur I consider it my duty to
state fairly the true situation, in order that the
cause, if there be any specific one, may be as
certained, and the recurrence of such affairs
may be happily averted. 1t is a significant fact
that our limitations during the last year were
seventy two, against 172 the preceding year, and
our Withdrawals and suspensions were l26, against
sixty-eight last year. While these facts and
figures may supply food for argument. they do
not, in my opinion, call for great alarm. 1t is,
. in fact the loss of some Indifferent members,
and if the statement will evoke any remedial
efforts, the good of the order will be ultimately
attained Three causes exist according to my
humble understanding. for this state of affairs:
First, the adjustment of all significance in our
proceedings emblematic of or representing In
any way a secret benevolent association.
contributes much as cause for lack OF interest
manifested in our lodge rooms; the simplicity Of
our ritual, inexpensive of any sentiments
calculated to awaken interest, and the fact that
we no longer have novitiate the absence of
any incentive to advance in the order, as was
formerly found in the degrees, now abolished;
dissatisfaction of those who expected the realiza
ton of something Of high and noble character
in our exercises All these are reasons which
restrain zeal or enthusiasm in our cause.
Second. the adjustment in quite large number
Of lodges of such benefits, to which members
expected to be entitled, has, in many instances,
caused the withdrawal of old mem
bers, and that deferred new members
from joining our ranks That our endowment
law, while just and fair in its practical working
to every member of the order interested, may
perhaps be open to still further improvement 1t
Is often stated that many young men would join
our ranks If relieved from compulsory adher-
ence TO the endowment. 1t occurs to me that
some modification might be made whereby 1T
would be optional with newcomers to contribute
to the endowment fund"
The morning session was devoted almost Who'll
ly to receiving reports from the different officers
and committees The report of the trustees of
the endowment fund was submitted by Isidor
Bush, of St Louis the chairman of the commit
tee 1t showed that the number of
members enrolled at the end of the
fiscal year was 300; that the deaths
pensions, 65; and expulsions, 2. The receipts
included 81, 405 collected from assessments.
The expenditures amounted to $6l, 439 50, of
which $36, 600 paid out in benefits, and
1924 SO invested. The cash on hand amounted
to ST. 113 10, but the total resources OF the fund
amounted to $l74.57 10. Since the endowment
was established the receipts have aggregated
$476, 739. s5 and the disbursements 1863. 626. 20.
The report of the trustees of the Orphan Asy-
Ium at Cleveland established under the patronage
and direction of the the order, showed that the
institution is in fourshing condition. There
are three hundred and one children In the asy-
lum, and during the last year there has been no
serious illness among them, while there have
been no deaths A hospital erected at an
expense of $4,000. Liberal contributions have
been received and the financial condition of the
institution is good.
The books and vouchers of the secretary and
the treasurer were submitted and were referred
to an auditing committee. They showed that
the receipts had been ample to meet all con-
tingencies, and that there was good balance on
hand
Eight vice presidents were admitted to the
Grand Lodge degree after which the Grand
Lodge adjourned until afternoon.
In the afternoon the presidents address and
the reports from the several officers and com
mittees were referred. A resolution TO make
the endowment law voluntary instead of COM
pulsory was offered. 1t elected long and spr-
tied discussion, finally ending in
the resolution being laid on the
table. Last evening an entertainment
In honor of the visiting delegates was given at
Mmnnerchor Hall by the Phoenix Literary So
eiety The session of the Grand Lodge will be
resumed this morning. There will be an cleo
ton for filing the vacancies in the board of en-
dowment and orphan asylum trustees, and this
afternoon the Grand Lodge officers for the next
year will probably be elected. This evening
banquet aud ball will be given at the Hotel En-
glish.