The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-05

Each Is presided over by Distnct peF-
uty Grand Master, who visits the ioutN
and instructs them In the WORK Va ""
order. These officers report to the Gran"
Master at regular intervals. All loogc.
are required to make quarterly iepo,'
to the Grand Secretary, showing 'nen
condition, and remitting the capi'a.ion
tax. There are 40 lodges In virginia
now. including three lodges OF the branch
known az the Daughters of Rebekah.
This branch gives a degree TO iany reia-
tives OF members OF the order.
SOVEREIGN GRAND LODGE.
The Sovereign Grand Lodge OF the world,
which Is the governing body Tor All
Grand Lodges OF the Independent oruct
n Odd-Fellows: meets annually In dlner-
ent cities OF the United States ana can
ada. Although II embraces Grand Lodges
in Germany. Denmark. Australasia, swift
erland, and other foreign nations, YET IL
has not been deemed expeuient 10 meet
on the other side of the ocean, because
OF the great expense which would follow
the attendance OF the very large number
of representatives from this country. The
report Of the Sovereign Grand Lodge Tor
the year ending December 81. 1894. report
ed I'm the last Journal, shows that the
order paid out for the relief or its MEM
hers during the year &c. 81. 96. and that
the total revenue during the same period
was ss4g7, S70.53 There are now. IN round
numbers a million members OF the lnde-
pendent Order OF odd Fellows. The ritual
Is printed IN more than dozen tongues.
During the period from hSo TO Decem-
Der 81, 1894, the order has received into lts
mysteries 20l2.siS members. IL mas re-
leved 1902. $50 members; has assisted the
families OF 2i6l7S deceased members. Dur
ing the same period the total receipts have
been sl76. Isl, POP so. and there has been
paid out for sick benefits and other forms
OF relief S., SOS. s9O.47
At the last session of the Sovereign
Grand Lodge. In September. 1895. Its con-
stitution was amended so az 10 prohibit
any saloon keeper, bartender or profes-
sional gambler from becoming member
OF the order.
GRAND MASTERS REPORT.
The Grand Masters report shows the
condition OF the order IN Virginia for the
year ending December 81. 1895. From this
report It was learned that the total relief
paid out amounted TO s2S,5G5. and the total
receipts S70,23i.
There will be something over 800 new
members after January LIST TO add 10 the
net Increase for the year closing December
81. 1895, making the actual net Increase Tor
the year over which the Grand Master
presided something over 1900. the largest
net increase, by "A considerable number.
in the history Of the order in this juris-
diction.
The condition OF the order was never
so prosperous and encouraging as at pres
ent.
RICHMOND LODGES.
There are 10 lodges in Richmond. with a
membership of $40. The lodges are: Rich
mond Lodge. No. l. with 800 members
jefferson Lodge. No. T. with 40 members;
Union Lodge, No. :. with 81 members;
Friendship Lodge. No. 10. with - men,
bers; Unity Lodge. No. Sc, with 81 mem
bers; Fitzhugh Lodge, No. 80, with 81
members: Capital City Lodge No. lOl,
with 81 members; Aurora Lodge. No. ll6,
with 13l members; Roane Lodge, No. 100.
with IS members: Schiller Lodge. No. lS9,
with 115 members.
Each OF these lodges widd send one dele
gate to the Grand Lodge meeting in Char
lottesyille.
THE GRAND MASTER.
The present Grand Master, Hill Monta-
que, is the youngest man who has ever
held the position Of Grand Master in Nir-
ginia. and almost certainly the youngest
who has ever held this position IN any OF
the States. lie became member Of the
Grand Lodge Of Virginia at its session in
this city. held on April r. 1892 In 1894 he
was elected brand Worden. and IN 49,;