St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-16

| huSOHlc heHeI aSsOclatlOn nelu It's huuudl
meeting, heard reports and elected directors
and officers.
GEN. r. W. JoHNsoN's ADDRESS.
On calling the association to order Gen.
johnson, the president, delivered the follow
ing address:
Brethren-We are here again to-day, so
many travellers on the journey of life, safely
arrived at the station house OF the twelfth an
niversary of our association.
In the usual language of annual addresses
you may expect me to say "let us pause,n
let us stop for reflection If not for refresh
ment. But, brethren, we cannot pause, we
cannot stop. Even while speak these words
we are hurrying on and on, and memorable
events are going TO conclusions, which per-
haps settle and seal important questions for
some of US, If indeed not for all. Oh! that
we could pause. Obi that we could
prevail upon time to give us a short
recess, an intervening space for reflection
and for planning that would not be counted
against US. 1t would seem that we could
start anew with freshened spirits and strong
er purposes. But no, whatwe have to do We
must do as we go, and there is not one mo-
against us. 1t is with these serious impress.
sions OF the unceasing, ever fastening Jour-
neying of our souls that / greet you here to-
day. To me all anniversaries are solemn
occasions, and of themselves suggest deep
| thought. Even those that commemorate
great deeds and grand achievements, calling
| ai1ecuonate remembrance and pompous and
magnificent celebration have their interviewer
threads of sorrowful recollections. No intel
ligent mind can anywhere ''make note of
time" and not hear memories whispering to
him, see figures reckoning to him and feel
regrets pulsating through him. With no
words of mine, then, will endeavor to in
vest with solemnity for you the passage of
another year. In gratitude to the Father of
US all for his continued mercies, and In af-
fectionate remembrance of those who have
been called to sleep the last sleep, your
thoughts and mine are in unison
During the past year we have lost by death
thirty-one members. To pay the benefits
we have had to make only eighteen
assessments, paving the remaining out of
the surplus. This statement will show YOU
more clearly than my other that the affairs
OF the association have been economically
administered. l belong to kindred associ-
alton, in which the directors are paid an an
| nual salary, and the expenses of that associ-
! alton are more tkan four times that of your
own. They have become so heavy and the
| assessments in consequence, so burden some,
that 1t has become necessary to re-orgauize it
on new basis. The directors of the Mime
sofa Masonic Relief association ask for no
compensation beyond that which comes
to each one from the consciousness of a duty
well and faithfully performed in the interest
OF the widows and orphans of our deceased
members. Through them our expenses are
kept down and hence the large Accommodations
out OF which so many assessments have been
paid. AS long as We keep our expenses
down TO the minimum We shall
be able to pay all claims, and no new depart
ure from our present system will be neces-
sary. This seems to be proper time TO call
the attention OF the membership TO the neces-
sity OF keeping the association informed at
all times in regard to the person or persons
to whom benefits are to be paid in case of
death. One OF the oldest members had the
benefits payable to his widow. She died and
he married again, and then he died. The
change OF designation had not been made,
| and question has arisen as to whom the
| benefits should be paid, to his widow or the
heirs of his first WIFE, The money Is on
hand and ready 10 be paid over as soon as the
courts decide who is entitled 10 it. Thought
lessness on the part of the deceased mem Der
has caused the state of things which exist.
| And, hereafter, all who fail to keep their
designations perfect are likely to
give their heirs trouble and
annoyance. Changes OF designation
are frequently made, but they are always at
tended with some expense to the association.
| recommend the charge of one dollar, here
after, for all changes Of designation, to be
| n ~ A.. Frt-
charge is not designed TO create a revenue,
but simply to meet the expenses of Autograph
| ing and postage. At this time we have
larger membership than ever before, yet the
number of members Is not near as large as
it should be. Cannot each member induce
brother to join us, In this way we can
double our membership diminish our ex-
! penses, aud be able to carry our insurance at
much less cost. During the past year each
member has been insured in the sum of
! $4,000 and the average cost has been Sl1. %
| per thousand, much less than the same could
| be done by ordinary life insurance COM
| panies AS riches ''may take wings and fly
away" the necessity for every man provid-
| ing for his family is self-evident. Where,
! or how can he make such provision as eco
nomically as in an association.
For the second time In our history Il be-
| comes necessary 10 announce that the dark
! shadow OF death has passed over our board
| of directors aud blotted from earthly life
| two Of our most worthy members. Brother
| Bartlett Presley and Geo. y. Cooley have
been called from labor 70 rest Their many
virtues as men aud Masons will long be re-
membered by those who knew them. They
were enthusiastic in the discharge Of their
| Masonic duties, aud we shall miss their wise
] .1als In. F,,f,r 1.1tk T.,
conclusion, brethren, let me say to you that
II we have not in the past been baptized
with grace and zeal, by reflex
influence from our own labors, then have we
worked without soul sympathy in the beneii-
| cence Of our association. That all are thus
| wanting cannot believe. / am confident
/ we are all inspired By the results OF our past
/ lAbOrs for new effort and continued perseyer-
ance. WHAT there is in store for us We can
/ not tell. Mountains Of difficulties may rise
in our way. Epidemic disease may draw
| heavily upon us, not only for material aid
/ but also for multiplied and self-sacrifcing
! tender ministratOns. In all and through
| all, however, believe we will prove our
| selves men aud Masons, and an as
ISOLATION equal 10 all II has ever
/ promised and fully up to the expectations
/ Of its friends. We shall show the world by
| the te nder care we bestow upon our brethren
/ aud the families dependent upon them that
/ the mystic tien really binds together in one
common brotherhood.
T. ". JOHNSON. President.
THE sECRETART's REPORT.
According to the report Of Secretary Terry
/ Division A, which is limited 10 $1,000, re
/ ceived 5,2G9, and dlsbursed eos, l55.
/ Thirty-onc death claims were paid amount
/ ing 10 see, To pay these thirty one
/ claims only eighteen assessments were made
the rest being paid from the surplus fund,
The total membership IS 2,7S6. Division B
/ is limited TO 81, 200. This is new division