Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1894-09-20
THE THREE LINKS.
Odd Fellows Meet in Seventeen
Annual Session.
Wonderful Growth of the order shown
by the Grand Sire's Address and
Ofhcers' Representations
Spent for Charity.
SOVEREIGN GRAND LopeE.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, sept 10
Prominent odd fellows from all sec
tions of the United States and Canada,
representing the various districts of the
order, assembled in the SEVENTEEN an
nual session of the Sovereign grand
lodge in the hall of Lookout Noun
tain inn on Monday. Grand Sire C. T.
Campbell, of London, Ont, pre-
sided, and the public was admitted to
che opening session. When the lodge
had been formally called to order the
delegates were welcomed on behalf of
the state by Gov. Peter Turney,
while Mayor George II. 0chs spoke
for the city.
Grand Sire's Address.
The annual report of the grand sire
was long document, the reading last
ing over one hour. A synopsis of the
document is as follows:
The grand sire said that since the last
convention in the south, held in Atlanta
twenty years ago the membership in the
southern states had increased from COCO 70
5000, and 10 the people Of the south odd fell
lowship had become an established institl-
ton The total membership OF the order was
now $50 900, or, including the sisters Of the
htDGhdn QtEEGE. ScssBuD 10 THIS SnOulQ DO
added a membership Of IS 900 In foreign juris-
dictions, making combined membership OF
90o,0 600 men and women The net increase in
membership during the year had been
$4,000 This was less than the year
previous but this might be accounted
for in the United States by season OF imam
cial stringency that lessened the resources OF
the people In Canada the order had made
greater progress than In any year OF its history.
Millions spent for Relief.
There has been no diminution In the work
accomplished, and the expenditure of three
and third millions OF dollars for purposes Of
relief was a sufileient evidence OF the activity
of odd fellowship.
In no department of the work had there
been such decided progress as in making pro-
vision for the aged members and orphan chill
dren. In many states new homes had been
opened. while numerous Jurisdictions were ae-
cumulating funds and preparing buildings for
the laudable work.
state of the Order.
A charter has been granted for grand
lodge in sweden and it was recommended that
an application for district lodge in Naples,
Italy, be granted. Oyertures had been made
India, but there were evident reasons why the
4 proposition should not be entertained A
charter has been granted for an initial lodge in
| Newfoundland. the only part of British North
America not hitherto occupied.
The military branch, known as the Patri-
archs Militant, was reported as being In a
prosperous condition. Numerous withered
| branches have been Topped of during the year,
the forces generally reorganized ana eleven
new eantons mustered into service
! The enthusiasm OF the Sisterhood OF Re-
| bekah had continued undated, the member
/ ship increasing rapidly. The laws governing
/ this branch. however. required ctreful re-
/ vision but the wishes of the sisters themselves
should receive full consideration.
secretary's heport.
The report Of Theodore A. Ross, grand sec
/ rotary and acknowledgement, shows that during
/ 1898 the get gain in the membership of lodges
was 81, SJ1 and in eneampmeats 3,54S
IN the Rebekah lodges the net gain In the
number of lodges was 1878: in membership, b.
| o73, OF the increased membership In these
lodges r. S9 we're sisters.
Assets Snow a Decrease.
| The report Of Grand Treasurer Isaac A.
| Sheppard shows the financial condition of the
| Sovereign grand lodge for the fiscal year end
! ing August %, 1894 as follows. Receipts cash
ceipts during year s74. 1921; total cash re-
serve. 8i08534.eS; expenditures curing the
year, SIS 2s3 6S: balance IL ha,.ds of treasurer,
S3s 25i25: Lehigh Valley Railroad company Al
! per cent bonds, sl5 00J, other per cent. bonds
| $4,000 total Se3 25i25 The total available
assets as per report August 49, 1893 we're s79,-
05G az, showing loss In assets Of S15, s25.47
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Long In OflciaI Life.