Evening star., 1898-09-28

er David P. Purington. past grand patron
OF Michigan, and Brother John +. Dickin-
son, past grand patron of Illinois
During my visit TO the Grand Chapter OF
TexaS In October, 1876. Brother Hell of
San Antonio called my attention TO the
possibility of introducing the order into
Mexico. mary of the barriers having been
removed by Grand Lodges of f. and A. NJ.
by again recognizing the lodges in Mexico.
Later received letter from him. suggest
ing that we have the ritual printed in the
Spanish language, and deputy appointed
10 introduce the order In Mexico. re-
ferred the question of organizing the chap
ter to our most worthy grand patron.
Il have received numerous letters from
Mr.. ]. Morse. a resident of London. Eng
Land. who received the degrees In San
Francisco. with n view of organizing chap
tero i'll England, and our most worthy
grand patron has had the same under aG
Visemert.
Extension to Honolulu.
We had hoped to report the order intro
duced in Honolulu before the close OF our
term of office; right worthy grand sec
retary and myself having received very en-
couraging letters from leading members of
the Masonic fraternity. While our amb-
tions have not been realized, the seed has
been sown. and good results are bound 10
be realiZed in the near future.
The interest in our order throughout
the United States is steadily on the in
crease. and the support We are receiving
from the Masonic fraternity Ito whom We
are indebted for our eXistence) is most en-
couraging and gratifying.
Delaware being the only state whore our
order is not in existence. our right worthy
grand secretary has been in correspondence
with the lodges there.
During my term of office l have been
repeatedly asked to indorse the so-called
higher degrees to our order and participate
in their privileges all of which / have
courteously declined. i regret exceedingly
that the name of the Eastern Star has
been made one of the prerequisites fer pc
utioners. it is often misleading. and
some have joined in good faith, believing II
to be higher degree to our order. In re-
ply to inquiries of several grand matrons
and grand patrons, | have advised that
While we cannot prevent any of our MEM
bers from joining any lodge or society,
they cannot in any manner connect them
with the ritual, or hold their sessions in
chapter room on regular nights of meetings
of the chapter, referring them to the de-
cision of my predecessor. Sister VI. c.
Snedden. which was sustained by the Cen
eral Grand Chapter.
~ would, therefore. recommend that the
constitution be SO amended that each chap
ter Under the jurisdiction of the General
Grand Chapter shall be visited by the NJ.
w. grand InairOn, or deputy appointed by
her, once in three years. at the expense of
| the General Grand Chapter.
I'm the matter Of thanks. ] am at loss
how to begin or Where 10 end. If ] might
express to each grand and subordinate
chapter. and the officers especially in both
bodies. MY appreciation of their many
kindneSses to me-a stranger among them
would fill a volume. To each of you | can
only express my heartfelt gratitude for the
many acts Of kindness while guest among
you. aid the tokens received at different
times during the years We have been so
pleasantly associated together. May your
laborS in the coming years ba crowned with
success. and the choicest blessings from
our Father IN Heaven be yours to enjoy
Grand Patrons Report.
Following this address was the report
of the most worthy grand patron, Henry
Harrison Kinds. 1t stated that during his
term of Office two Grand Chapters had been
organized, one in the District of Columbia
and one IN Wyoming, and sixty-four SUD-
ordinate chapters. 1t developed that the
General Grand Chapter has as yet been
clothed with but little authority by the
grand chapters, and its relation TO them
resembles in many respects the relation
ship of the confederation to the different
states before the present Constitution OF
the United States was adopted. There is a
growing sentiment, he said, that In this
case. as in that. stronger government
will follow.
The authority of the General Grand
Chapter exceeds that of the United States
| in one particular however notwithstand-
ing the rapid rate at which history is max
ing itself 1t has the power to establish
chapters the wide world over. The work
of the most worthy grand patron he said,
is one of great magnitude, and, in this
city of office holders and office seekers, II
| would be difficult for them to appreciate
the pleasure with which he surrendered
| the cares Of office.
A hearty round of applause greeted the
reading of the report.
On motion. of L. Cabell Williamson, the
reports Of the right worthy grand secre-
tary and right worthy grand treasurer. be-
ing in print. were referred without reading,
to the committee on finance.
Function at Rifles ArmOry.
More like scene from the Arabian
Nights" or Moore's "Lalah Rookh'' was the
view that presented at the National
Rifles Armory last night at s o'clock,
where the Grand Chapter of the District
of Columbia rendered a reception to the
General Grand Chapter of the United
States and to the members of the order.
The hall was tastefully decorated for the
occasion, the coats of arms of the states
being prominent. Bunting, ferns and palms
adorned the platform. and from among
them Haley's Band discoursed pleasing