Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-09-18

Treasurer Isaac Sheppard and other Of
6cers.
In his annual report Grand Sire
Campbell says: When you met me 10
Atlanta twenty years ago the jurisdlc-
tions forming the territory recognized
politically as the Southern States con-
tanned less than 5000 Odd Fellows; to-
day,the brotherhood 10 the same section
approximates $4,000 The net increase
during the year under the Sovereign
Grand Lodge is 80, S97, making at the
end OF 1893 a membership Of 7S0.l92, or
including the sisters Of the Rebekah
degree, SIS, 743 Adding some $4,000
in foreign Jurisdictions, shows total OF
about 913, 900 az the end OF 1898.
The expenditure Of 50. 3l3, 600 for pur-
poses OF relief is sufficient evidence OF
the activity Of Odd Fellowship. The
condition OF the order in foreign lands
has not materially changed during the
year. Among the Teutonio nations OF
Europe very good progress has been
made. Among the Latin nations
whether a Europe or Americs, the re-
turns have not been very satisfactory
10 Sweden the state OF tue order mas
warranted nae 10 acting on the authority
YOU gave ne last session, and nave
issued 70 the lodges in that country q
charter for a grand lodge. The publ
cation OF the ritual in the Swedish Ian
guage having been authorized by you,
translation was prepared by Kmicitla
Lodge. No. 3, Of Sweden, During the
wear a number of residents Of Naples,
Italy, Joined 10 a REQUEST for charter
for a lodge in their CITY. l am prepared
to recommend that their request De
granted.
In the course OF correspondence with
Brother Block on the Naples petition,
had occasion 70 discuss with him q
Question, which, while il has not at
tanned any rominence in connection
with Odd Fellowship, hassmore or less
affected other benevolent societies in
Europe: and that is the development OF
Atheism among classes OF the people.
Odd Fellowship, while il is free from
ANYTHING OF "A sectarian character, has
ALWAYS held belief IN a Supreme being
as a cardina. pgiOciple, aud has main
tanned The faJherhood Of God as
a doctrine Of equal importance with the
brotherhood or man. Concerning the
QUANTITIES. AuA oNNA AuANNo - VIZ 1879
Father. it has never undertaken 10 pro-
nounce with authority; nor does II cues
tion the moral character and good cltl-
zenship OF some Of these who declare
that they have no belief in a Supreme
being. IL simply exercises the right OF
all voluntary associations TO prescribe
the qualifications for membership in it's
own circle. And il has insisted, and
does still insist, that belief in God is
necessary 10 attain or retain place
within our ranks.
Eleven new cantOns Of the Order OF
Patriarchs Militant have been mustered
into service since last September. The
code adopted by the Sovereign Grand
Lodge last year for the government OF
the Patrlarcbs is capable OF improve
ment There are only two plans for
the. proper management Of an Organiza-
tlon of this kind. One Is centralized
government with a strict military diSct-
Dline: the other is complete local gov
eminent, subject only 10 genera! law.
The first plan was tried FOR several
years, and the Sovereign Grand Lodge
concludedPthat 10 was more expensive
than e9selent.
The enthusiasm which has character
lad the sisterhoOd OF Rebekah during
me past few years continues undated.
AT the end OF 1883 there were 202, 442 in
this department. Of whom lOS,6 l2 were
sisters. At the same rate OF increase, we
NAV assume there are to-day no less than
$4,000 noble women united with us 10
benevolent work. The laws governing
this branch require a careful revision;
while the wishes OF the sisters them
selves should receive most careful con-
sideration. While our sisters Of Re5eSah
have assisted In all branches OF Oenevo-
lent work OF Odd Fellowship, they
have rendered special aid In eS-
tablishing and supporting the
homes and orphanages. And in
no department OF our work has there
been so decided progress as In making
provision for the aged members aGd or
phaned children. An OrDhanage Ia Lin
coin, Ill, where some so children are
under the guardianship Of our brethren
in that Jurisdiction, is an institution
with every appliance requisite for the
purpose. New York has provided an
additional home. Pennsylvania, Massa-
chusetts, Connecticut, Kansas, Texas
ana Wisconsin have excellent homes for
the aged and for the orphans, while
many other Jurisdictions are accumulat-
ing funds aud preparing buildings for
this laudable work.
The reporto of Grand Treasurer Isaac
Sheppard for the fiscal year ending
August 20, 1894, shows: ReceiptS-CaSh
balance, as per last report S34,O76. -;
sundry receipts during year, S74, ASS. p;
total cash reserve, SlOs, 534.13.
4 Expenditures-S7 9S3 IS; balance in
bands OF treasurer, $50, PSI. -. The
available assets this date are as follows;
Cash balance 10 treasury, S33,25l 25;
Lehigh Valley Railroad Company as
per cent. bonds, $4,000; Z. w. x b. K.
r 4 per cent. bonds, SIS, 900; total, sos.
951.25. The total available assets as per
nv report August 10, 1898, were S79,-
org -, showing loss in assets OF S1j,-
S25 AZ.
The report Of Grand Secretary Ross
shows a net gain o, 32,S97 members in
subordinate lodges, 3,54S In encamp-
ments aud 1873 in Re0skah lodges
during the year 1898. The financial
statement shows that SlOl, coo has been
appropriated and SIS, ESQ expended dur
inR the year. The grand treasurer has
/S33, PSI cash on hand, $50, 900 Of railroad
I bonds, and other items making the total
assets OF the sovereign grand lodge
4 SlO7, 72l. A summary OF the statistics
Aof the order from 1880 shows that the
kotal receipts have reached Sl6S, O56, PSI,
which SEA, go. ESQ has gone for relief
members, widows and families.