The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-01-09
ANNUAL MEETING HELD
BY THE MASONIC MUTUAL BENEFIT
Association LAST EPENING.

Reports by Secretary, Treasurer and
Finance Committee Officers of the As
ISOLATION Elected for the Ensuing Year,
The twenty-third annual meeting Of
the Masonic Mutual Benefit associa-
ton was held lest evening at Masonic
hall. Fred II. Waldron, the secretary
made his report, which showed the fol-
lowing facts among others:
During the year just closed there
We're issued four assessments less than
during the previous year.
The average age of the entire MEM
bership has been decreased by the ac-
cession of young men and loss of those
who were much older. The average
age of new members during the year
has been under "a years, while that of
the deceased members has been nearly
81, and those who have lapsed over 40
years.
We have thus far been reasonably
prosperous. Untold good has been C.
complished by the organization in dis
pensing nearly million and a half
dollars.
A number of changes in beneficiaries
have been rejected by the board DUR
ing the past year, as they were con-
trary to the law governing secret or
fraternal societies.
The law designates as beneficiaries
blood relations--husband or wife, atfi-
anced husband or affianced wife, or to
persons dependent upon the member.
These certificates cannot be used as
collateral for moneys loaned, or trans
ferred by will; the books of the associ-
alton must show who is the beneficiary,
and cannot be otherwise diverted.
Changes can be made at any meeting
of the board, if within the tenor of the
law. We have one case in court, not
through any fault of the association,
however.
We have endeavored to induce the
younger members to unite with us, as
the infusion of younger blood means
continued prosperity, and so long as
we can do this and continue to increase
our membership, just SO long we will
prosper as an organization.
The death rate among our directors
has been somewhat heavy during the
year Just closed. Four of the number
have passed away, viz: Brother Ho-
bart Sperry of Ansonia, who served on
the board eighteen years; Brother N.
D. Granniss of Waterbury, who served
nineteen years; Brother John S. Castle,
also of Waterbury, who served sixteen
years, and Brother e. M. Chaplin Of
New Hartford, who served since 1892
The total number of deaths during
1896 was 35. The total membership is
1857. The total amount of disburse-
ments for death claims during 1896 was
| $50, 300.
The report of the treasurer, Charles
hand of $S,993,66.
The report of the finance committee
showed that during the past year the
receipts We're 95,532.62, and total dis
| bursements $S5,09519. The assets
amount to s22,567.33. The committee
report was submitted by F. G. Antho-
| ny, Charles Schenck and L. H. John
son, the members.
The officers of the association for 1897
are
President, Right Worshipful Brother
, Christopher e. Prince of New Haven;
vice president, Brother H. W. Craw-
ford of New Haven; secretary, Most
Worshipful Brother Fred H. Waldron
of New Haven; treasurer, Brother
Charles S. Mersick of New Haven;
medical director, Brother William D.
Anderson of New Haven; attorney,
Worshipful Brother Lucius P. Deming
of New Haven.