Evening star., 1898-09-27
Session Eegins.

south, no east, no west in the Order of
the Eastern Star.
Session ReEins.
Past Most Worthy Grand Matron Rams
ford of, Indiana called the meeting to order
precisely at 10 o'clock with a sharp ran
of the gavel which showed that it was
welded by no uncertain or inexperienced
hand. She called upon the grand officers
to retire to the ante-room. After a brief
wait the grand officers returned led by the
grand marshal, and marched to their re-
spectiNe places to the sound of appropriate
music. with a stateiness and precision
which reminded one of the graceful move
ments OF the minuet. The questions and
responses of the order were given with a
clearncss and distinctness which would
charm the ear of a theatrical manager and
showed the most careful training in that
particular. After a touching Invocation by
the grand chaplain, the audience united in
singing America Right Worthy Asso-
ciate Grand Patron Gearhart here created
a laugn by asking, for the sake of the right
worthy associate matron, that she be given
the Use Of the whole frail platform on
which they were seated. When ii is known
that he Is an almost exact counterpart of
Speaker Reed in avOrdupois whom he also
resembles in feature and want of hirsute q
appendage, the force of the pleasantly will
be appreciated.
Every Grand Chapter of the order which
numbers thirty-One, responded with the ex-
ception of Indian territory, whose repre-
sentatives are on their way, and West Vir-
glnia Delegations from Connecticut, New
York and New Jersey. which states are not
yet affiliated with the General Grand Chap
ter, were also present.
Past Worthy Grand Patron /. CabeIl
Williamson, on behalf of the District. here
presented the convention with a gavel
taken from cherry tree grown in Mount
Vernon and adorned with a hatchet and
the insignia of the order.
The most worthy grand matron an
God hat
had already presented a gavel, but she
thought they might both be used and
naively intimated that if order were not
maintained they would be used freely.
Expression of Sympathy.
BY unanimous vote a telegram of SYM
pathy was sent to Past Most Worthy
Grand Matron Mrs. Sheldon of Missouri,
who was absent by reason of the serious
Illness of her daughter
The past most worthy grand matrons
present were then announced, as follows:
Mrs. Elmira Toley, Mrs. L. ]. Pitkin, Mrs
Mary 4. Matthews, Mrs. Nettie Rainsford.
They were invited to seats on the pla tform
Past Worthy Grand Patron Yost of Ruth
Chapter, No. l. o: the District of Columbia
was here invited TO seat on the platform
by virtue of her being the first to suggest
the formation of the order in the District
and from the small beginnings of which
erEanated this grand gathering
Mr.. j. B. Merritt of California moved that
committee of five be appointed to confer
with the visiting members from Connecti-
cut. New York and New Jersey, with a
View to their affiiation with the order.
The motion was carried, and Messrs Mer-
rltt and Williamson and Mesdames Mat
thews, Rainsford and Pitkin were ap-
pointed.
Much fun was created by the advent of
"a man in the gallery" and some one NOV
ed as lit was not good for man to be
alone" that he be invited to seat on the
floor But wher 1t was found that he was
only a camera fiend waiting to get "a shot"
at the audience. all smiled their sweetest.
l. was ascertaired that he was member
OF the order, as none others are admitted
for any purpose
Worthy Grand Matron Carolyn A Han
cy. Mosc Worshipful Grand Master of Ma
sons Samuel C. Palmer and Commissioner
John W. Ross We're then accompanied to
the platform to the sound of music to de-
liver their addresses. VIM. r. Sington,
grand secretary of Masons, was also az
corded the honor of seat on the east
The most worthy grand matron then in