The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-04-21
THE GOLDEN CROSS.
Proceedings of the Session of the
Grand Commandery of Maine.
Abstracts From the Reports and
Election of Officers.

Yesterday forenoon, Good IemplarS' Hall.
where was heldjthe fourth annual session of the
Grand Ccmmandery of Maine, United Order of
the Golden Cross, were 6lled with Knights and
ladies discussing the work to be done at this ses-
sion. The charter of Casco Bay Commandery
was heavily draped with crepe, a token of respect
to the memory of DR.. j. H. Morgan of Knoxville,
Tenn, the founder of the order, recently deceas-
cd. The finance committee and the credential
committee were hard at work at O'Clock, but it
was II O'Clock before their task was finished, and
the Grand Commandery duly opened.
The grand officers were all present and ans
wered to the roll call as follows
Grand Commander-E. j. Perkins Portland.
Grand Vice Commander-Mary f. Davis, Bidde-
ford.
Grand Prelate-Rev. ]. H. Snow, Ogunquit
Grand Keeper of Records-Dr. S. j. Bassford,
Biddeford.
Grand Treasurcr-Dr. c. P. Gerrish, South Ber-
wick.
Grand Herald-Dr B. F. Sleeper, winthrop.
Grand Warden of Inner Gate-Florene ID. Da-
Wis, Winthrop.
Grand Warden OF Outer Gate-Dr. CIV. Bailey,
Saccarappa.
The committee on credentials reported Al men,
bers present, and 81 Knights and ladies awaiting
initiation.
The Grand Commanders report was an able
document and was referred to a special committee
on distribution.
The Grand Keeper of Records report showed
that on April LIST, 1886, there were % commando
cries in Maine, with membership OF 2,l39.
There have been - deaths during the year. The
insurance carried by the order in the State is ST.
400. 600 The Communicates in the State have
paid S26 900 to the Supreme Treasury, and $685.
900 have been returned for death benefits in
Maine. The Grand Treasurer has received ST.
071.13 during the year, and has paid out
$2,0o0.63.
members We're escorted to Thatcher Post Hall.
where the well Ioaded tables were surrounded by
hungry multitude and the delicious viands dis
cussed with great gusto. Casco Bay, Woodfords,
Oasis, Ocean View, and Banner Communicates
provided the provisions, and rightroyally did they
fulfill their duties. Andrew Leighton, chairman
of the Joint entertainment committee, was ndefa-
tigable in looking after Details and was ably sec
onded by Jos. A. Kennedy Noble Commander of
Caseo Bay Commandery.
The afternoon session commenced at 216.
Some time was occupied in attending to the settle
ment OF mileage due the members.
The finance committee reported the books of
the officers correct in every particular. The cleo
ton of officers passed off very quietly, the follow
ing Knights and ladies being declared elected for
the ensuing year:
Grand COMMANDMENTS. John C. Stewart, York
Grand Vice COMMANDMENTS F. II. Davies,
Winthrop.
Grand 'Prelate-Rev. j. c. sanborn, Waterford
Grand Keeper of RecordS-Dr. S. j. Bassford,
Biddeford.
Grand Treasurer-Dr. c. P. Gerrish, South Ber-
WICK.
Grand Herald-J. W. Bracket, Peaks Island.
Grand Warden of Inner Gate-Mrs. E. A. ia
cobS, Bryants Pond.
Grand Warden of Outer Gate-C. S. Jackson,
Gardiner.
Trustees-F. l. Day, Lewiston; c. A. Tilton,
Cape Elizabeth; Isaac Plummer, Brunswick.
Perkins, Portland.
Alternate-Dr. B. F. Sleeper, Winthrop.
DR.. c. w. Foster, from committee ON state of
the Greer reported In favor of subscribing for 200
ommendaton was adopted.
Rev. ]. H. Snow, DR.. J. c. Stewart and F. Fl.
Dexter were appointed a committee to confer
with similar committees from the Grand Comman-
deries of Massachusetts and New Hampshire in
reference to national reunion to be held July a,
1886, the tenth anniversary Of the order
The afternoon session closed at O'Clock, and
the members, repairing to the banquet hall, were
again refreshed.
The evening session opened at o'clock The
representatives to the Supreme Commandery were
instructed to urge upon that body the necessity
of a law to enable social members to share sick
benefits; The officers elect were installed by Su-
preme Commander w. H. Solomon of Boston, as
sisted by Past Supreme Manager DR.. J. ID. Young
Of Boston,. DR.. +. .Hartshorn of Boston, Acting
Supreme Keeper of Records, and Supreme Her
aid Horace MITCHELL Jr., of Kittery.
Grand Commander Stewart, in a few well chos-
words, expressed his sense of obligation to the
GranG Commandery for the honor bestowed upon
him. He spoke feelingly of the scope and charac-
ter of the work of the ensuing year, and was
heartily applauded.
Several questions Of law were discussed and de-
cided
The following preamble and resolutions rela-
tive to the death of DR.. j. H. Morgan, were
adopted:
Whereas, death has entered our supreme cita-
del on high therefore, be it
Resotved, That while we humbly bow in submits
sion to the will of our Heavenly Father we real
ize that a great and good man has fallen, and a
chair is left vacant which can never be filed
Resolved, That we, as a Grand Commandery
will every cherish the memory of our deceased
brother, and endeavor to initiate his many virtues.
RESOLVED, That the members of the family have
our heartfelt sympathy in this, their great be-
reavement.
RESOLVED, That the charter of this grand body
be draped in mourning during this session, and
that copy of these resolutions be forwarded to
the family of our deceased brother.
Resolutions of thanks were adopted To the
entertaining Communicates; to the retiring Off
GERS; to the railroads for reduced fares: and to
the newspapers of Portland for liberal accounts
Of the proceedings of this session.
The salary of the Supreme Keeper of Records
was fixed at $500, and that of the Grand Treas
urer at $25.
The unwritten work of the degrees was exem-
pfified by the Supreme Commander, who then, in
a few glowing words, excited the enthusiasmm of
the members to the highest pitch. DR.. e. Harris
horn, Grand Commander of Massachusetts, also
made brilliant remarks, and DR.. j. d. Young, Su-
preme Medical Director added his quota to the
feast of reason, and elected hearty applause.
This closed the work of a busy and profitable ses-
sion.