The San Francisco call., 1896-04-10

members in the State, but stronger in
terest in the beneficiary degree is being
aroused, and the members expect that ere
long a majority Of those belonging to the
order will take out insurance policies.
The day was taken up with the reports
OF officers and embers. The officers and
committees reports were all written, but
the majority of the others were delivered
verbally. AS in the Workmen lodge, there
has been a slight decrease in membership
during the past year, but the ladies are
confident that the causes which led to this
have been removed, and are sanguine of
great advancement for the future.
The grand chief of honor, Mrs. Esther
A. Lovejoy, prefaced her report with the
following remarks:
In the revolving years the day has again ar
rived for the annual communion of our Grand
Lodge, and l am pleased to greet you at it's
fourth occurrence to measure the progress OF
the past year and to deliberate upon the pres
ent condition and needs of our jurisd iction. In
performing this duty | but continue the les
sons of the past and follow the example OF the
teacher whom l have succeeded. While our
membe bership has somewhat decreased during
the year abou to close. | feel confident that if
more of the brethren of the parent order will
interest themselves in this branch of the order,
the coming year viii see marked increase.
Brethren, do not forget that in helping us
you help yourselves.
In regard to the beneficiary depar tment OF
the order l will state that we are doing very
well, and we must devise some way to encour-
age this very important feature. l trust that
this Grand Lodge will carefully consider this
very important proposition. 1t is the founda-
ton OF the A. o. .. W., and why should it not
be of ours
The body of the report shows that the
designations have been two; that three
lodges have been organized; that six have
surrendered charters; tnat the grand mas
ter workman had been appointed ADVISER
and that committees on laws, finance and
circulars had been appointed as well as
twenty-three district deputies.
The report of Mrs. F. S. Toland, the
grand recorder, shows that the mem bers
enrolled January 1, 1895. were 1910, but
that on January l, 1896, the books showed
just 827 mem bers, a decrease of 1873 for the
year. The report further made known
that the number initiated had been 209
admitted by card Z. suspended 100, rein.
stated %, expelled 0, Withdrawn As, and
that the number of deaths had been s.
The grand receivers report was devoted
solely TO financial matters. The yearly
receipts were $2262 10 and the disburse-
ments $l06S 81, leaving a balance of
$ll93 53 on hand January 1, 1896. The re-
port of the finance committee tailed with
that OF the grand receiver.
The lnltiatory work was e1emplified for
the benefit of the delegates by Silver Spray
Lodge No. of this City in very credit
able manner, and was warmly appreciated
by the visitors.
In the evening the visitors were enter
tanned at Laurel Hall by the City lodges,
and very pleasant evening was spent.
There were speeches, music and other light
forms of entertainment in plenty, and the
guests departed we'll pleased at the effort
made to make their visit agreeable and in
structiye.
Tomorrow morning will occur the an
nual election of officers and of delegates to
the Superior Lodge, which meets at Buf-
falO In June.
In the afternoon the newly elected Off
GERS will be installed, and all unfuish Ell
business will be cleaned up preparatory TO
adjournment till next year.