The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-01-13
OUR SECRET societies.
Sickness and Death Rapid
ly Reducing Bank Ac-
countS---Lodge and
Council Notes.

Inc SICK committees Oh Gne various
lodges and councils have enough to do at
present. There is scarcely lodge that
has not one or more members down with
the grippe or pneumonia, and the organi-
Zation is in luck that has not yet draped
its charter with the mourning emblems.
Some have lost several members and
those who extend a helping hand to the
family of departed brother or sister
have reduced the bank balance
In some instances the drain has been a
heavy one, and if more deaths occur, an
assessment will have to be levied to meet
the deficiency. The majority of the lodges
are in a robust condition financially, and
prepared to give prompt aid to the
stricken relatives.
1t is bad season for the organization,
but the relief they are giving the sick
and suffering proves the value of the in
stitution and is strong argument for
estimable men who are not overburdened
with wealth to unite with some of the
excellent societies, who do so good with
out Darading it's charitable acts. 1t Is not
regarded as charity under the existing
laws of the institutions-it is duty, and
TITLED to under the laws. This
system removes the sting of being
a dependent and maintained by the
bounty Of lodge and the money which
will be refused by fensitive person who
would suffer rather than play the role of
mendicant is gladly accepted, and with
out hesitation, as the wise laws compel
them to receive the allowance and if they
do not need it they can return it to the
lodge as q gift.
This, of course, is rarely done, as even
the men of affluence refrain from return
ing it directly, as it may hurt the feelings
of those members who are not wealthy.
That the lodges and councils have felt
the financial loss by illness and death is
apparent from the published death notices
in which the names of the organizations
are mentioned.
The proportion of death notices
to the number who die is
week | noticed that the following organ
izations had lost members:-Resol
Council of Chosen Friends, Washington
Council of Chosen Friends, Courts Little
john and Jersey City of the Ancient
Order of Foresters of America, Court
Bergen of the English branch of the
Order of Foresters, Ever Faithful and
Legion OF Honor, Lincoln Lodge of Odd
Fellows, Eureka Council of American
Mechanics, Co. No. Al Germania Schut-
zen Bund and the Enoch J. Smith Asso-
ton.
The number is not one-ffth, low esti-
mate. of those who died and were con-
nected with societies who aid in defraying
the funeral expenses or give large insur-
ance benefits to the relatives of the dead.
The number who are i'll and are draw
ing sick benefits could not be ascertained
but that the number is enormous is GER
tain. when so many people are sick and
deaths are SO numerous.
Free and Accepted NTasons.
Hugh de Payen's Commandery will
have grand entertainment at the Taber
nacle tomorrow night. The tickets have
sold so rapidly that the event will be a
success financially as well as artisticallv.
Hiram and Eagle lodges meet tonight.
Varick Lodge will work the M. M. de-
gree on Wednesday night. A special in.
vitation is extended to the members of
sister lodges to assist in the work.
The Lodge of the Temple, Amity, Zere-
detha and Bay View lodges will meet on
Thursday night.
Enterprise Lodge will confer the E. A.
degree on Friday night. The new officers
are doing well. The members are taking
a deep interest and a fine start has been
made for a big year
Jersey City and Bergen lodges will meet
on Friday night.
Il.
Apelles. organ1st the Rutger College
quartette, A. E. Pearsall, elocutionist;
Miss X. Green, soprano; and the Ruby
Brooks trio of banjoists.
Teutonia Lodge will celebrate it's twenty
fifth anniversary at the Avenue House
this evening.
Deputy Grand Master Simpson paid his
official visit to Bayview Lodge on Thurs
day night and assisted in the initiatory
work, as the M. M. degree was conferred
on candidate. A collation. was served
at the close of the meeting at Bro. Film
gers.
Enterprise Lodge worked the E. A. de-
gree at its last meeting. The sister lodges
were well represented.
Ancient Order of Toresters of America.
A new court will be instituted in the
Marion section. The preliminary meet
ing was held last Friday night.
Court Winfield had charming anni-
versary celebration. There are very few
courts in this city that were not repre-
sented.
The ball of Court Greenville was
merry and successful event.
Court Hamilton does not propose to
play second fiddle to the older courts in
the social line 1t is making arrange
ments on a grand scale for its annual ball.
it's last meeting. Although it is a COM
paratively new court it is doing well
That disastrous picnic business has not
been disposed of.
If you want to find a prominent For
ester next Friday night go to the Acad-
emv of Music. They will be present to
witness the production of "The Exiles''
under the auspices of Court Paulus Hook
High Chief Ranger O'Melia and his staff
will occupy box, and Mayor Cleveland,
who is member of the order, and other
city officers will have seats in private
boxes. There are very few seats left for
the performance.
The country lads down in Greenville
gave the city boys some points in how to
entertain guests and graceful dancing.
What time is it, Jimmy? This is the
query hurled at Court Glenwood's Chief
Ranger.
1t is an off night indeed for any of the
Courts that do not have initiatory work.
Court Ashley raised the ante by twenty
one on Monday night
High Chief Ranger O'Melia attended
the installation of officers of Court Ashley.
Deputy High Chief Ranger William
Dollard, OF Court Winfield, No. 1881, of
Bayonne, installed the newly elected
officers of Court Advance, of Elizabeth,
on Friday evening last. He was assisted
by Past Chief Ranger Charles G. Kane
and Secretary Joseph McCurnen, also of
Court Winfield.
The members of Court Pride of Bay
onne, No. z, 1854, A. o. f. of A., paid fra
ternal visit on Friday evening to Court