The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-04
GRAND LODGE.


L UITFu THTT HTDOt TTIUTu WYNN DO TOT W
| report a substantial gain to the sovereign
| Grand Lcdge.-at least an increase OF 100.
But IL was not so To be. That bane OF our
| o~rder-dropped for non-payment OF dues
has made its customary inroads ana
| clogged our numerical advance. During
| my administration i have endeayored TO
impress upon the minds OF the ofhcers
| the necessity OF careful attention to
delinquents, believing that many mem
| bers could be retained by courteous and
timely notice Of arrearage, and personal
| persuasion to kept their names on the
roster. Doubtless many have been held
i'm the ranks, but many have fallen by
the wayside, weary in well doing. There
are various causes for this great leakage,
but the prime one has never been dis
covered, else the remedy would be gladly
and quickly applied. Constant watchful-
ness and painstaking care by officers and
member will greatly counteract this dis
tressing drain. II there is any consola-
tion in the fact, it may be remarked that
a perusai of reports from sister jurisdic-
lions show this same condition.
Y From a purely business point of view
d Fellowship stands peerless. Its Pc
cuniary affairs are administered with sa-
gacity, strict honesty and a high order
of intelligence. These characteristics have
advanced our financial strength and made
the order able to fulfill every obligation
II has taken upon itself and leay a hand
some balance over all liabilities. The
past year has contributed to our power
In this direction, and from the present
outlook all concerned may rest assured
that, barring Unforeseen calamity, epidemic
or some other great cause, the wealth of
Odd Fellowship in this jurisdiction will
show an assuring and gratifying in
crease. Peace and prosperity reign with
come when discord will interfere with
the great business we have in hand. A
comprehensive epitome OF the state OF the
order, in this jurisdiction, has been pre-
pared by the grand secretary, and a care
ful scrutiny of it will prove beneficial to
every student of Odd Fellowship.
The report also contained a reference to
the institution of Victoria Rebekah
Lodge No. 20 at Central Falls, Feb. 70,
1895; the anniversary and memorial pro-
CARNATIONS issued and circulars and pro-
carnations promulgated regarding laws
and restrictions from the Sovereign
Grand Lodge.
Also the list OF official visits during the
past year and a reference to departure in
instruction in unwritten work. The grand
master said:
The plan met with the hearty co-opera-
tion OF the grand representatives, and ac-
cording To the generally expressed opin-
ion of the brothers the departure from
the conventional method was very popu-
lar, instructive and entertaining. / am
Of the opinion that this idea can be en-
larged upon, and the exemplification OF
the work become a valuable school Of in
struction to officers and embers alike.
1t will have the merit of making a cere-
no.. in which all may take active part.
In nearly every visit the grand master
has been greeted by a large number Of
brothers, who have extended character
istic hospitality, and made the time ex-
tremely agreeable for the grand board.
The report also contained a list of invi-
tations accepted to participate In various
visits and celebrations during the year.
Especial reference was made to a visit
to Waterbury, Conn.,, to participate in
the ceremonies attending the dedication
of an Odd Fellows building, and the cell
ebration of the 30th anniversary Of No
sahogan Lodge of that city.
In regard to 50th anniversary celebra-
lions in Rhode Island the report stated
that three lodges celebrated their Goth
anniversaries during the year. The cele-
brations were all especially creditable to
the lodges, and to the order in this juris-
diction.
On April 4, Good Samaritan Lodge, No.
s.. of Pawtucket, observed its golden an
niversary by a banquet and ball in the
Auditorium. The grand master made a
short address pertaining to Odd Fellow
ship, and His Honor, Mayor Iiepke, made
an address relating to the municipality
and Good Samaritan Lodge. This event
was much enjoyed by the board of grand
csnonicus Lodge, No. 20, celebrated
its 50th anniversary In aneelaborate man
ner. On Sunday evening, April Z, the
lodge and invited guests, numbering
about three hundred, including the Off
GERS OF the Grand Lodge, attended di-
vine service at the Church OF the Media-
tor, where the pastor, Rev. Willard {.
selleck, preached a particularly effective
sermon, having an especial bearing on
Odd Fellowship. The discourse on
''Christianity and the Frsternities'' was
powerful, and greatly appreciated by all
present.
On Monday April 9, the celebration
Trocadero in the afternoon. This oc-
casion was made notable by the presence
Of distinguished guests from otheRjur-
i~sdictions, incl uding the honored Chief
Executive Of Independent Odd Fellow
ship, Grand sire John W.. Stebbins; Hen
chusetts; Leopold DeLeeuw, grand master
of Connecticut, and Charles Il. Ware,
grand representative OF Connecticut; Il. ii.
Rhodes, grand master of Masons Of
Rhode Island, and the grand officers OF
this jurisdiction. Short addresses were
made by the distinguished guests. In
tn S Grana s .rere ~ ssSin was snd q t Ibsee graod
w Rht FtttVtt NV khO kiuht
masters, TO which lanonicus Lodge gen.
erously invited all the elective officers of
the subordinate lodges in this city and
vicinity; about four hundred guests were
present. The festival and celebration
terminated with a grand ball.
may be pardoned, perhaps, In saying,
that being a member OF Canonicus
Lodge, this celebration was peculiarly in
teresting to me, because | was permitted
To be grand master when the lodge in
which was first made acquainted with
the enobling purposes OF Odd Fellowship
touched its golden mile stone.
December 10 Rhode Island Lndge had a
delightful Both anniversary celebration
in its finely equipped lodge room and
public hall. In the afternoon, Past Grand
Ward, n veteran member of the lodge,
read a carefully prepared and comprehen-
sive historical address, and Past Grand
Master Lester s.. Hill made an eloquent
speech appertaining TO Odd Fellowship.
1he evening festivities included a ban
quet in the public hall, and responses to
toasts by officers OF the Grand Lodge and
other invited guests.
The intellectual part OF this feast has
not been surpassed for many years in
DL0I. I.l,..1 n11 Il.I.- r. - ~