Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-10
THE ODD-FELL0WS.
MEETING OF THE GRAND LODGE IN
DAEvILLR.
Encouraging Report OF the Grand Master
Giving Facts and Figures-Also Re-
ports from other Grand Old
cers-Banqust.
rspecta, telegram to the Dispatch,


DANvILLE, VA, April 9.-The Grand
Lodge OF Odd-Fell0ws met here to-day, with
all the grand officers present save one. Or
ganization was effected in the morning and
in the afternoon the reports Of the grand
officers were submitted. The Grand Mas
ter's report was very Interesting. After
reference to the aims and objects OF the
order, to former meetings OF the grand body,
&c. the Grand Master says: "By reference
10 the proceedings OF the Sovereign Grand
Lodge for the year 1883 we discover the un-
paralleled increase OF the order IN member
ship to have been 25,422. aud that the total
relief paid WAS 81, 3j3, 700. 02, an increase OF
1926. 44i. 80 over the previous year. We also
discover that the American order and the
Manchester Unity combined number l,2Ol,-
6j6, or IlS Goa more than any other iraternal
organization"
Referring 10 the state OF the order, he
says: l am enabled TO report that tbt lodges
are working harmoniously and very many OF
them actively striving TO increase their
power for usefulness. | am encouraged to
believe that the day is not far dstaut when
our numbers in this jurisdiction will be
largely increased and many prosperous
towns and favored sections Of our State will
be blessed with an Odd.FellOws' lodge
WUFiENltu kNF VI NFA'l "
our iellow-man may be performed under the
systematic organization OF Odd.Fellowshlp.
Referring TO Rebekah lodges be saws:
As heretofore reported and as Is well
known. this branch OF our order has not
been very successful IN this jurisdiction
How far the fault OF its lack OF prosperity
rests upon the subordinate lodges, how
ever the " beautiful iorn" may have been
tortured into deformty In the subordinate,
the recent action OF the Sovereign Grand
Lodge placed this degree now beyond such
possibility, and II il to be hoped thst this
beautiful degree may meet with iul favor
aud deserving success.
The Grand Master regrets that 40 little
interest Is taken IN the Widows and Or
phans' Relief Association, and adds: There
seems but one course left. Select a good
agent for Virginia and have the work
pushed from lodge % lodge. This. II sue
cessiul. and who can doubt It, will build up
the association, and IN my opinion the
order, I'm more ways ihan one.
The reports from sixteen deputy grand
masters show that with few exceptions the
subordinate lodges Of Virginia are doing
we'll and are in a nourishng condition.
The annual report OF the Grand secretary
shows the number Of lodges in the state, 90; ;
number OF members IN 1851. 3, ,10C; initiated,
admitted 10y card. and reinststed IN 1883,
4S0; Withdrawals suspensions, deaths, &C.,
34. Total membership January lst, 1882.
Net increase. l2G. Approximating the nu-
mericai condition OF the order for the yesr
ending March 81. 1889. this jurisdiction has
gained tNo new lodges and IN membership
not less. perhaps. than 2jO. Amount paid
for the relief Of brothers, widowed famlnes,
&C., SlS,G3j; total receipts OF lodges, $33.
4G3; amount received by the Grand Secre-
tary from April, last year, to April, 1889,
Sl.9j4.56.
Tue Grand Treasurer's report shows re-
ce pts during the year OF S3,01j aud amount
paid ont S2006.
This afternoon public reception was
held at the Academy Of Music, sud speeches
we're made by Mayor Graves, a. l.. HUI. OF
Norfolk; A. j. Montague, Grand VI aster
Bowering. Of Fredericksburg, ana d. {.
Richardson, OF Richmond.
Tonight a grand banquet was served al
the Masonic Hall.