Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-02-21
4. o. U. ".
Annual Session OF the Grand Lodge
1f This JurisdictiOn.

1lpuk6s hh1ichh oAtpA Va OhatSh
men, Jurisdiction of Ma ylAnd, New
Jersey, Delaware and Virginia, which is
being held In this city, began Tuesday
afternoon, Grand Master Workmen j. A.
Vansant of Camden, N. j., presiding and
about 100 officers and representatives at
tending. Gilpin B. Underwood OF this
city was appointed journal clerk and
Barry B. Rutherford Of Cape May read
ing clerk. Grand cfiicars' reports were
presented and committees appointed
These committees Immediately began
putting in presentAble shape mat
ters which are to come before the grand
lodge. Consideration Of routine business
occupied most OF the afternoon and at 6
O'Clock adjournment was made until this
morning.
Grand Master Workman vansant re-
ported that shortly alter the last annual
session the appointed 10 district deputy
grand master workmen 10 take charge OF
and visit each lodge assigned TO them,
to note it's condition and give good ad-
vice. During the year all of the lodges
were visited and much good resulted
from the visitations. The total expense
contracted by the deputies in making
their visitations was $168.S4. The grand
master workman recommended that these
visits be continued, expressing the opin-
Ion that they will prove beneficial to the
order. Tho financial condition Of most
lodges, said he, had been found TO be
satisfactory. Some lodges failed to
meet regularly, among these those at
Easton, Oentrsville Md, Greensboro,
New CASTLE. Wyoming and Newport.
The grand master workman suggested
that these lodges be given some good
advice or be disciplined. 'As result of
q careful inspection of svery lodge" said
he, ~ am led to believe that the one
thing we have most to fear is the fact, 1
regret to say, very apparent in some parts
Of the jurisdiction, that the membership
in too great numbers, have come to re-
gard the A. o. U. w. as simply safe,
cheap and attractive insurance organiza-
ton, instead OF great fraternal brother
hood, banded together for the mutual
protection Of those dependent upon us
for support Therein lies our great dan
ger. There Is nothing to attract or appeal
to our higher or nobler natures in an in
surance organization. But In our order,
as il really is great brotherhood linked
together for the purpose of alternating
the sorrow and suffering Of those nearest
and dearest to u.s. then our sympathiet
are aroused and we put forth oul
every effort for the upbuilding of this
the greatest and grandest philanthropi'
organization in existence" FifteeI
lodges were organized and instituted dur
ing the year, Ave Of them by CRANE
Foreman John W. Dlefendorf. Referring
to Mr.. DIefsndorf the grand master work
man said: "To him belongs the distinc
ton Of having organized the larges
lodges ever organized In this jurisdiction
since the states of Maryland, New Jerse.
, and Delaware were allied together, ant
further, at this time he 10 engaged In es
tsblishing q new lodge at Lambertville
N. j., where Standard, No. 81
, IL, after several years existence
languishing with IL members anC
q desire to surrender its charter
Prior TO the meeting Of this body Their
will be, no doubt, for the hEst time In GU
,, history, really strong and healthy lodg
at Lsmbertville, for which, am free b
! admit, we are indebted to Brother Defer
!. DORIS self-sacrifoing love for the orde
/ and devotion to its welfare, which hav
been paramount to his own personal In
. terests which could and would have bee
= better served in more promising an
!. more lucrative fields" In concluding b
4 report Mr.. Yanssnt suggested that th
4 new constitution, which is to be adopte
: at this session, be translated and printe
a in ths German language and that tt
grand master workman be pr divided wit
:, o secretary.
Grand Recorder A. r. Colbert reporte
o that there are 80 lodges in the jurisdi'
!; ton, an increase of IL for the year. TheI
j, are in Maryland SO lodges, with men
bership of 2,07l; in New Jersey, SO lodge
n and 2,723 members; In Delaware,
!: lodges and $50 members; In Virginia,
% lodges and 1852 members. On Decemb,
;. 3lat last, the total membership was S 49,
A year previous it was 5,206. The averas
g mbership for the year was 5,504, ar
% the net gain 679. Maryland's net gain
membership was 90; New Jerseys, 40
pelawars's, SO; Vlrglnia's. &c. Of Il
lodges organized and instituted durir
the year six are in New Jersey, two eas
J; in Maryland and Virginia, and one
y Delaware.