The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-05
FRATERNAL NOTES.
Third Annual Convention of the
A. O. F. f. S. To-Day.

Golden Gate, No. so, Pacific No. 136, and
Oriental. No. IA. lodges OF f. and a. NJ. Of
this city, held stated meetings on Tuesday
evening for the transaction of business.
The third annual convention OF tine Sub
sidiary High Court, A. O. F. F. S, for the
Pacific Coast, conveues this morning at 10
o'clock in A. o. F. Hall. 102 O'Farrell street.
California Chapter, No. 5, Royal Arch
Masons. at its stated meeting or Tuesday
evening had work in the Mark Masters de-
gree.
Templar Lodge, No. II. L o. o. F., held a
well-attended and very interesting meeting
last evening.
California Council. No. .. Royal and Sc
leet Masters. at its stated meeting last even
ing conferred the degrees.
Excelsior Lodge, Kaights and Ladies of
Honor. will give social this evening in Odd
Fellows Hail. A pleasurabIe time is antici-
pGted.
Mount Moriah, No. "A. Excelsior, No. l66,
aud Mission. No. 100. lodges OF +. and A. NJ
of this city. held stated meetings last even
ing for the transaction of business.
The grand officers Of the Knights of
Honor viii pay a fraternal visit to Garden
City Lodge, Alameda, this evening. The
delegation from this city will leave on the
1870 o'clock boat.
Crockett Lodge, No 139. T. and A. NJ, az
its called meeting last evening had work in
the Master Mason's degree.
The statistics OF the work OF the fraternal
benefit orders for 1889, as compiled by a
committee of the National Fraternal Con-
gress, which met in Pittsburg last winter,
are very interesting. During that year these
orders numbered 1,2j0,O00 members, and
paid out benefits to the amount of 10000
0C0 During the last quarter of a century.
or since the oldest one was organized, they
have paid S150,00O,0O0 to the widows, or
phans and other dependents of their de-
ceased members, The average increase of
membership over suspensions and deaths in
1889 was II per cent. The average rate of
mortality was about ten TO each 1000 men,
beers, number of young orders naturally
showing small mortality. The suspensions
were about per cent of the membership.
The reflections Of applicants were about 5
per cent The average age of the member
ship was 80 years, and the average age of
those who died was As years. The average
age Of members admitted was 50 and that
of suspended was AZ. The total expenses
OF management were about 10 per cent,
while the expenses of the life Insurance
companies were about IS per cent
The secrets Of Masonic ORGANIZATION are
not as many as they are sometimes supposed
TO be, says the Freemasons' Repository. A
good part OF the system and much of the
working of the institution may be pro-
claimed from the bousetop, but there are
some things that should be sacredly guarded
In the breasts of faithful brethren. Matters
connected with the comforting of degrees
should never be discussed in public, nor
should the names of candidates or the action
OF the lodge respecting applicants be re-
ported to those outside the fraternity. The
charities of the lodge are not to be heralded
abroad. Brethren sometimes err in these
respects. They are too free in this spirit.
With them no secret Of the craft is safe, and
the proceedings of the lodge are speedily
communicated to any friend or chance &C
quaintance. There is time to speak and
time TO keep silent.