Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-05-23

lHdIy OF the brethren VI our Guy, WIN
now survive him. 1t is now nearly
thirty-seven years since Brother Nor
ris conceived the idea, and began to
put it into practical operation, of the
order of the Eastern Star, and in doing
so, the object which he had in view
was to endeavor to unite more closely
together not only the brethren Of. Ma
sonic Lodges, but rather the brethren
and their families, not only in par
ticular town, but also in those adjoin-
ing each other. so they could be CO.
workers with the Lodge by dispensing
Heaven-born works of charity, not that
charity so commonly bestowed by
many people of this cold, selfish, heart
less world, and done only to have their
names in print, and to be openly praised
by men by giving little food to the
hungry, or clothing to the naked, but
more than that, the charity of God,
which is love" The practice of that
particular virtue among the Masons
and their families would unite them,
and cement them in the bonds Of true
friendship, that trait of GOd-like char
acter that knows no bounds, and is
indeed but the link that binds all in the
golden chain Of the Brotherhood Of
God" and the Brotherhood of Man"
Bro. Morris, having prepared ritual
for use of the Order, and TO promulgate
the alegorical lessons. ne desired TO teach
the initials in the several degrees therein,
started out at once TO add members, by
communicating the degrees to Masons and
their families at their homes and in the
manner known as "at sight" giving them
also a secret work composed of signs, pass
words and by which means they were
to be recognized by other members of the
der. Those persons to whom he commu-
nicated the degree to. were at liberty TO
do so to others to build IN the order,
and in consequence a KNOWLEDGE Of the
ritual. though sparsely spread among the
fraternity in many sections of our land,
was by communicating. scattered over
very much of the United States. This
communicating to persons from near and
from affair." did not produce any good re-
suits, for not even family gatherings OF
members of the order were held, which
was necessary. not only for its perpetui-
as it came from It's author, but to retain
q correct knowledge of the secret work
as communicated by Brother Morris, and
In consequence many members forgot the
modes Of recognition, others got them
so mixed up az to cause among its mem
bers such confusion only equaled by the
builders of Babers Tower. Therefore,
Brother Morris saw at once the necessity
Of organization. and he formed lodges,
and only those who were members there
Of. were recognized These lodges became
scattered about our country with no gen.
eral governing body over them, many of
the members being brainy, became ritual
makers, each one superior in knowledge
to each other, they advertised and ped
died their rituals and received recognition
IN their several jurisdictions. SO that in
due time, the original ritual was discard
ed. and again the order of the Eastern
Star as far as the ritual was concerned,
was again I'm confusion, for Babeps Ian
guage predominated, and the order came
nigh to death, but Brother Morris came
again TO its rescue in 1876, and favored
tho formation Of the General Grand Chap
ter of the Order Of Eastern Star, which
has been tho ruling head since that time.
and which meets tri-annually 10 transact
business and select officers to govern the
order in the United States. Since the ad-
vent Of the General Grand Body. the or
der has been spread into every State,
Territory. and into Old Mexico. The rit-
ual Of Bro Morris is the only one used
under It's authority. and only one other
being in use now in one State that has
not yet become n constituent Of the Cen
eral Grand Chapter. The growth Of the
order in the last twenty-one years has
been about 12o 600: the order now num-
bers about 12j,O0O. members Of 1,S6S chap
tiers scattered throughout the entire coun-
try. and consequently you cannot travel
anywhere about It. but you will meet
Star. a benefit no one can enjoy but those
who are members of the order. How BEN
ehciaI 1t is to a lady, to be on a journey
alone. to meet with friends who will not
only give her information. but also n
protector, If necessity should demand it.
or if she should arrive at her destina-
ton. among strangers, or after night to
find 2 member of the order TO direct her
TO her destination. These are only some
of the advantages Of the Masons and fami-
lies being united into n fraternal organi-
cation. which brings them into closer
relationship or bond of friendship, which
is not often seen among our fraternity in
the larger communities of the country.
The order is now represented in West Nir-
einia by two chapters. one in this city,
Marian No. /, the other at Ceredo,
WAYNE county, Alpha No. 2. Both Of them
are live bodies and their members are
ready at all times to make known to Ma
sons and their families the benefits to he
derived from membership, or how they
may obtain admittance therein, and moro
so 10 extend a hearty welcome to become
members thereof. When the last Trien-
NAL of the Templars was held at Boston,
the General Grand Chapter OF the Eastern
Star met there also. during the same week,
and while It was reported there were at
least thirty-fve thousand Knights Tenn,
MARS there. there were at least members
Of the Star. ladies and gentlemen, nearly
twenty thousand. What n noble army OF
valient Knights, and what noble body
Of charity dispensing brothers and sis
ters were there. Who would not be part
of such great fraternties? Next year
will see a repetition of these things in
Plttsburg, and the Mason and his family
who shall go there, C'although not a Tenn
plar) will find that by being one of the
Staritios designated by their badge). has
measures and privileges extended to them,
which would not be otherwise obtained.
under different circumstances. These
things can be vouched for by many Of
the members Of Miriam Chapter, who
were in Boston. Again If any Mason or
family should desire to go TO Washington
next year when the General Grand Chap
80 ,,,oo+s there they will find the same