Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-11-21
THE am FElHoWs.


Annual Session OF the tiraIn EOuEc
-Entercstinx Itepcrts--A iaOnic fc=
Aged and IntiiFent Brethren.
The 56,h annun. meeting OF the Grand
Lodge Of Delaware, I. o. o. F., was held
in Odd Fellows Hall yesterday, opening at
10 O'clock, with $50 members present
aud Grand Master E. AZ. Fowler presiding.
Twenty. nine nov members were ad-
mitted. Mostly routine business was
transacted al the morning sitting.
Reports OF the grand master, Deputy
Grand Master, &. @. Nailor, District
Deputies John II. Lay ton and Z. w,
Jester, Grand Secretary Isaac W. Hal
lam, Grand Treasurer A. G. Robinson
and Grand Representatives. Hiram Reedy
and Alexander Guthrie were presented.
The grand msster said the year had
been one of the most prosperous in the
history OF the Grand Lodge; the order
throughout the jurisdiction is in a most
flourisbirg condition both as to member
hip aud finances. The average attend
snce at lodge meetings is good and the
brothers generally seem to be enthuued
with new life aud vigor, extending the
right hard of fellowship and Astounding
in good works. The degree OF Rebeksh
is now conferred only by degree lodges
OF the Daughte OF Rebekah; laws re-
| quiring elective offioers in subordinate
| lodges TO be in possession Of this degree
are repealed, rituals OF said gree owned
by subordinate lodges have been de
stroyed by fire. A jewel has been
adopted tc be worn by brothers who have
been members OF the order in good
| stsnding for % years or more.
The jewels will soon be ready. The
base of the jewel is Of yellow metal, II
iches in diameter, with an olive wreath
border. On this base there Is earned
rcd enameled star CT Maltese pattern;
resting on this is 6 pointed white enam-
o'ei star, the points resting on the arms
| OF the red star. In the centre OF the white
star ia raisad blue disk three eighths Of
| an inch in diameter, having in the centre
"25n in gold figures On the reverse are
| the words :" Veteran ]. o. .. f., name
Of jurisdiction and number of jewel. The
grand master gave an interesting account
of the dedication OF Eden Hall, stating
\ that all will Join me in saying great,
| very great ore lit 10 due Eden Lodge for
erecting such temple OF which they Ms
well as the order generally can well afford
to feel proud, and for the royal manner
in which the guests were entertained at
the dedication. And while it is ons OF
the younges. in organization, it is by no
\ means the youngest in energy, zeal and
ability; composed as it is, mostly of
young, active men possessing these quail
ties, Eden, 81, is sure Of success" His
official acts during the year were reviewed
in detail. He recommended that lodges
not omit odes and prayers, and that
action be taken in regard to the regalia of
the grand officers.
Tha deputy grand master interestingly
reviewed his official acts, and directed
attention to the appeal of William j.
McOleliand, of this city, from the action
Of Jefferson Lodge in a claim for sick
benefits.
The reports OF the district deputies
were also interesting.
Grand Secretary Hallam's report stated
that the year had been quite fruitful OF
good works. The health record of the
lodges showed remarkable decrease in
sickness, and the wonderful ratio OF but
one death in each 10 members. The
expenses showed corresponding reduce
ton. The gain in membership was %,
and in productive property sum aggre.
eating $l2 600. Other statistics given
were: Members at last report, 2,5I4 !;
initiated this term, 182 admitted by
card. 8 reinstated, withdrawn sus-
pended, 81; expelled, 2; died, IA:
present membership, 1853; brothers
] relic Sei, 259; weeks sickness,
/ SCI widowed families relieved,
| 10; orphana educated, Il; brothers
/ paid for weekly benefits, So, GOS. so; re-
liat OF widowed families, $l69 so; edu-
cation Of orphan, S42 70; burial OF dead
~ 10 tau ~ d.. En,, 4,
! charitable purposes S251 Ga; total for
J relief, %ll ,526 80; other purposes, $2l, !,
/ i22 %; total expenses, $32 ,s4S So; total
receipts, $50 6Gg So; receipts exceeded
+ expenses, st, 75 "a; cash in bank 3d..
1868 &c; in personal property, &15 1868 81
rssl estate, SS7l ,40l 49, stocks S32 1876. 10;
bonds, $500 Of; notes, s. 1926 0s; mort.
geRea, S7 $50; total assets, 1885,, O07. o..
. The continued increase of values as showr
: by the assets give the true statnh of tht
financial prosperity Of the subordinatas
+. The gain during the year was nearly
: $4,000 Naomi Lodge, Rebskah Degree
9 is doing fairly good work. Its member
! ship at he.lsst report.was 35 brothers and
q 40 sisters. Outing the year two brother
and six Skaters were admitted; sill
Q brothers and three sisters Withdrew Of
I. were dropped the present mem 6ership il
? 81 brothers and 40 81. tefs; the lodge pait
!. 81, 700 for sick benefits and f50.l5 fo
y 10 'ge expenses, leaving a cash balance o
9 1886 Sc The interest bearing indebted
0 ness Of the Grand Lodge amounts t,
Z $500. Referring to the dedication o.
I Eden Hall the grand secretary said it wa
9 the great event of the year.
g Grand Treasurer RohinHon'A repor
Q gave the following tigureB Balance il
o bank at last report, $499 81; receive,
i from grand secretary, 81, g65 81; OK
g pended, 81 1853 %; now in bank, T7lI 81
a The reports of the grand representative
# were Interesting.
o The reports were referred to q specia
: committee for the distribution OF tn
I subjects therein.
p The recommendations OF the gran,
master were referred to special con
e mittee.
d Ine action Of the committee on appeal
q in sustaining Jefferson Lodge in the 81
= peal entered by William j, Mcclellan
If wsH adopted.
n Greeting was sent to the Grand Lodg
J, Of New Jersey, which is in session /
!, Trenton.
g resolution offered by the specie
committee on Odd Fellows Home, that
per capita tax OF one cent be levied &c
immediate expenses OF taking care
y aged and INDECENT Odd Fellows, and tlf
y the grand lodge call meeting OF rapri
70 sentgtives from all the lodges f1r I'll
=, purpose OF organizing an Odd Folio a
Y Home Assoriation, wss adopted.
20 Several reporta wers presented whic
% will provoke considerable discussion tn