The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-13


WALTER SCOTT, GRAND CHANCELLOR
Iewallyn Yean, Charles b. Hawkins,
Marcus F. Streetor, William II. Langley,
Augustus n. Cunningham, George ii.
Harnsay, John +. Dauz, John r. Munroe,
Byron p. Steadman, Eugene Il. Guertin,
Charles III. Edwards, Fred A. Thompson,
James B. Dean, John +. McQuillin, A. j.
Bennett, Herbert II. Barrows, George X.
Shurtliff, Joseph T. Rich, Albert j. Batch
eller, Frederick III. Graichen, Leon III.
Allen, James 4. Kennedy, +. N. l.. Baron,
Charles q. Briggs, H. A. Watt and George
Clark
After the new members had been initia
ted the Grand Chancellor presented his
annual report which was in substance as
follows:
Grand Chanccllor's Report.
With grateful sense Of the many bless
ings we enjoy and the good our order is
doing greet you.
BY direction of vote OF this Grand
Lodge at its session held Feb. II, 1893, the
executive committee at its special session,
held Feb. % and March 1, divided the
jurisdiction into ii districts. The plan
of districts, although mot entirely salts
factory to many members of the order,
has, for @ new system, worked fairly well,
and recommend that 1t be continued
another year.
In accordance with the laws OF the
Supreme Lodge, the old rituals I'm use up
to Dec. 81, 1S92-163 in number, were on
the 9th day of March, 1893, destroyed by
fre in the presence of the grand keeper Of
records and seal and myself, and a proper
certificate to that effect sent to the
supreme keeper of records and seal.
Iregret very much to report to you that
have not been able to organize any new
lodges during the year. This is because
Of the widespread depression in all
branches Of. business, the large
number OF men from whom we
draw our membership being out of
work, and very many who hereto
fore have been in comfortable circum-
stances have been and are now in finan-
cial distress, whihc has made it imnos-
sible to make progress with new lodges.
We had nearly completed arrange
ments for two, but from above
causes they had to be aban-
doned for the present. / think with
activity on the return of better times our
order can be extended into towns where
now we have no lodges. The city OF Prov
be supported for the present. My atten-
tion has been directed largely to encour-
age the lodges already established to re-
newcd exertion 10 keep up their numerical
and financial strength. To this end
have made large number of visits and
given many addresses in addition TO the
regular official ones, at ell OF which have
been received with marked courtesy and
enthusiasm, 1t is gratifying to report
that we have made gain in membership
for the year of 1853. We now have 3.723
members, as shown by the reports to Dec.
81, 1893.
The request OF Garfield Lodge and OF
Abraham Lincoln Lodge TO confer the
three ranks for sl0 was laid before the
executive board at its meetings
held Feb. % and Oct. Q,
and the grand chancellor was advised
to refuse the requests of both, which
did, on the grounds that neither OF them
needed the privilege, and it would be un-
satisfactory to the other lodges in the city
Of Providence, where these lodges are To-
Gated.
At the official visits the enthusiasm was
uobounded, the attendance large, the
knightly bearing, generous hospitality
and courtesy shown the Grand Lodge Off
GERS was proof OF the zeal OF our members
for the order.
Uniform Rank.
This part OF the Pythian organization
In this grand jurisdiction at the present
time consists of ten divisions and about
four hundred members. / understand the
efhciency and morals OF the rank is excel
lent. Certainly its value 10 the order is
great at times OF parade with its fine mil
itary bearing. Our Rhode Island
regiment did US great service
on Pythian Day, and has been on honor to
the jurisdiction on other public occasions.
1t deserves and should have our earnest
support. At the great parade in the city
Of Washington at the time OF the session
Of the slpreme Lodge in August next
trust the Sir Knights OF Rhode Island
will be well represented. IL Is great
satisfaction TO know that earnest efforts
ere being made TO this end.
Endowment Hank.
This feature OF the order IL not as fully
appreciated in this Jurisdiction ss think
n ought TO be. This Is 10 be regretted,
for ne value 10 our dependents Is great
when VT are called upon to surrender our
earthiy life. Many a heine aad family
have been kept together and made com
Portable by its provisions when death ha.