Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-15
THE STATE AT LARGE.
GRIND LODGE 4 0. 0. =.


Ferry. Essh,h Annual sessies~R crcrt et the
Gvape Msssss-Ths oraer ~ . fiosrtsaias
Cssdi,sen.
Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
NORFOLK, April IA, 1885.
The Grand Lodge, |. o. o. f.. met
in fcrty.eighth annual session this morn
ing at odd-rellews Hall. The Lodge
was called to order by Grand Master
Il. A. Buchcr, of Bridgewater, and
some fifty-fve delegates answered TO
their names.
Supreme Representatives James -.
Blanks and NJ. Colbert conferred the
past degree upon iifty-one past grands,
which is without precedent in the his
tory Of the order in Virginia.
The Grand Master submitted his an
nual report for the year ended Decem-
Der 81. 1884, showing net gainoi 10
members. This, he says, is not so
great q gain as was hoped for, but is as
great as could have been expected when
the great political contest rs remem-
bered. The order during the past
three months makes q most satisfactory
showing. There are now SO lodges,
with membership Of 1902.
Ia the last twelve months ss,76S
have been paid for the relief Of bro
theirs, s2,494 to widows, 1894 for the
education Of orphans, and 81, 1853 for
burying the dead, making a total Of
el3,sO9. The annual receipts were
e35, 5sS--a most encouraging show
ing. says the Grand Master.
Several new lodges have been insti-
tuted since the adjournment of the last
Grand Lodge. ss follows: Riverside,
No. sc, Rockbridge; Verbena, No. AZ,
Page county; Unity, No. sc. Rich
mond Mountain View, No. l2S. Fin
castle; Evergreen, No. 4, of the Degree
Of Rebekah, Richmond.
The Grand Master has also granted
number of special dispensation permis-
sions and approved "a great many by
laws. Only one charter has been Tor
feited during the term, and new lodge
was instituted in its place.
The Grand Master refers in appropri-
ate terms TO Past Grand Master John
r. Redmond, Of Norfolk, who died on
the 18th Of February.
The report is closed by calling spe-
cial attentSh TO the careless and unfeel-
ing manner in which the charges of the
order are delivered in initiating candi-
dates.
Grand Representatives j. b. Blanks
and M. Colbert then submitted their
reports. from which the following items
are taken: There are 3S grand lodges
and % grand encampments. making
total of l62 officers and representatives
in attendance on the Sovereign Grand
Lodge.
During the year there have been in
stituted 4 grand lodges and two grand
encampments, besides lS9 subordinate
lodges and AZ subordinate emcamp-
ments. The entire membership is
100000, and the order. says the re-
port, was never in more flourishing
condition.
The report further shows the pro-
gress of the order in foreign lands, and
reference is made to the work in Aus
tralia, Barbados, Chill, Denmark,
Germany, Mexico, Peru, Sandwich
Islands, &c.
The work Of sixty-iive years shows:
1918. 222 initiated, 1896, $40 brethren
assisted by contributions, IA, sos wild
owed families assisted, $50, 742, 1865
expended for relief, while the receipts
of subordnates amounted to 1892
$50. 60. The assets Of the Sovereign
Grand Lodge are as follows: General
fund, sll4,434.54; Wildey monument
fund, s2,64l.96; Ridgely monument
fund, sl4,073. 63-grand total assets
August 20, 1884, sl3l, l50.l3.
After business came pleasure, and
the party took the steamer for plea
SAINT excursion down the river. At
night a very enjoyable banquet was
spread at Odd-Fellows' Hall, where
pleasant speeches were made and con-
CALCULATIONS exchanged.