The Washington times., 1894-05-28
ORDER OFTHE EASTERN STAR
Many Prominent Women Masons Will
Meet in New York.
SORT OF MASONRY RELATION
Organized in France More Than Century
Ago-0lder in This Country Than Many
Suppose, Because Not Large Number Of
People Know of This Curious Order.

New YORK, May 27.-The four thousand
members, nearly all of whom are women, who
form the grand chapter Of the order Of the
Eastern Star of the State of New York will
celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of
their organization l. the Scottish Rite hall,
| Tuesday, Wednesday. and Thursday, June S,
6, and Z. This anniversary will mark an era
in the progress OF woman Masonry in this
state
The New York chapter ofthe Eastern Star
is affiliated with similar orders throughout
the United States. There are chapters in
Colorado. California, Connecticut, Illinois, In
diana, Iowa, Kansas. Montana. Michigan,
Massachusetts, Missouri. New jersey, Ohio.
Texas, Vermont and the District of Columbia
Altogether there are twenty-five grand chap
tiers under the jurisdiction OF the general
grand chapter and four independent grand
chapters-those of New York, New Jersey,
Connecticut and Vermont When a census
OF the different chapters was taken in 1892 the
membership wns 62 PIP. tut it has greatly in
creased during the last two years, and at the
present time it is probable that its numbers
more than 70.OO0 New York stands at tine
head OF the list of states in point of numbers,
and, with the exception of the state OF Michi-
gan, is the oldest grand chapter in the United
States. 1t has sixty-iiye subordinate chapters,
nine OF which. with combined membership
OF nearly 900, are in New York city. The
others are III Brooklyn. Albany. Binghamton,
Auburn, Syracuse, Cgdensburg, Lockport.
Rome, Staten Island. etc.
Those who constitute the membership OF
the Eastern Star are the Master Masons and
their woman relatives. The sister or daugh-
ter of Il Master Mason is entitled to the de-
grees OF the Eastern Star and membership in
the chapter, even if her husband is not a
Mason, but the widow of Master Mason,
having been married again to n man who is
not d Mason is not entitled to these privileges
unless she was Il Mason previous to her Sec
ond marriage. The rules of the order, how
ever. say that no chapter or grand chapter
has the right TO admit to the Eastern Star
stepdaughters, stepsisters, adopted daughters,
fellow crafts. entered apprentices. or unmar-
ried ladies under eighteen years OF age. save
those expressly named in the Eastern Star
maEual-namely. the wives. widows. mothers.
sisters, and daughters OF Master Masons.
This branch of Masonry is called adaptive
Masonry. 1t has scores oil degrees, and had
its birth about the middle Of the last century.
1t is somewhat akin to Royal Arch Masonry
and the older portions OF the Scottish Rite.
The French Ladies' Masonry, called the Rite
OF Adoption, originated in Paris. Among
those who accepted offices in it were the
Duchess of Bourbon and the Emperess Jo-
sephine, both of whom became Grand Mis-
tresses. Adaptive Masonry was brought to
the United States during the Revolutionary
War by French military officers.
Charters for the formation of "constella-
tiors" and families" of the Eastern Star
were first issued in this country by Robert
Morris. as Supreme Patron OF the American
AdoptIye Rite. In 1868 Dr. Morris resigned
the management and control OF the system to
Robert Macoy, OF this city. because in that
year DIR. Morris sailed FOR the Holy Land.
The first degree OF Eastern Star in this
State was conferred by him on October 21,
1867, at a meeting OF ladies held at No. 594
Broadway. and the Chapter was organized as
mo. 1. Order of the Eastern Star" Those
who obtained official positions in it were Mrs.
Frances E. johnson. Mrs. Maria A. Warner,
Mrs. Carolina Asten Mrs. Christiana Buttrick,
Mrs. Sarah L. Vivkcrs Mrs. Estella L. Chip
man. Mrs. Mary A. Waring, Mrs. Carolina
Dilks, Mrs. Matilda V. Reed, Mrs. Catharine
N. Crawford. Mrs. Ann NJ. Alexander and
Miss Mary E. johnson. There were besides
twenty-eight other members. In 1869 the first
publication of the Ritual was made. Its title
was. Adaptive Nasonry-a Book of Iustruc-
ton in the Organization. Government and
Ceremonies OF Chapters of the Eastern Star"
The first draft Of the Ritual was OF necessity
imperfect and incomplete but it was developed
from year to year.
The first grand patron Of the order in this
state was Edward o. jenkins; the first grand
matron. Mrs. Frances E. Johnson; the first
associated grand matron. Mrs. Carnelia Har-
dich, of Brooklyn: the first grand secretary,
Robert Macoy and the first grand directress,
Henrietta A. Filkins. of Albany. In 1872 the
order had increased to thirty-four chapters,
and since that year its growth has been grad
ua, but sure.
The gaand chapter of this state meets on the
first Tuesday in June every year. The fea-
ture of this years celebration will be ban
quet. which will be held in Nilsson hall on
the eveninS of June 6. An elaborate toast list
has been prepared. and speeches will be made
by all the prominent ladies in the state con-
nected with the order. This will be the first
occasion on which the order has given ban
quet. Besides this however, business of much
importance to the grand chapter will be trans
acted at the convention. Reports will be re-
ceived from all the subordinate chapters in
the state and applications for six new chap
ters will be acted upon. The election Of off,
GERS for the ensuing year will also take place.
and it is expected that for several Of the posi-
tions there will be a lively contest, as there
more candidates than vacancies.