The times., 1898-09-28
Masonic Temple Well Filled
With Visiting Delegates.
REPORTS OF THE OFFICERS
Addresses by Those Prominently
Connected With the 0rder-Com-
mfttees Appointed-The Orsanizn-
tion Received in n BODY by the
President and Mrs. Mckinley.

/
the Masonic Temple. The hall where the
delegates convened was elegantly decor
ated with the national colors and pro-
fusion of floral ornamentation. Nearly
| every State and Territory in the Union
| was represented. The sole exceptions
were West Virginia and Indian Terri
tory, whose representatives are said to be
en- route, and Will probably report at
! one of the later sessions.
The majority, of course in the audience
were of the fair SEX but among the rain
bow of colors displayed in their toilettes,
the black coats scattered here and there
made contrast that was striking, accen-
tuating as they did the sea of color form
| ed by the tout ensemble.
Precisely at 10 o'clock C. ". P. NJ. NJ,
| Mrs. Nettie Rainsford, of Indiana,
! brought her gavei sharply down and call
| ed the delegates TO order Almost stimuli
taneously with this the grand marshal
! entered the hall heading the procession
] of the grand officers of the order. After
they had taken their seats on the right
1 of the stage, the grand chaplain offered
| prayer. and the entire audience Joined in
singing America after which the meet
ing proceeded to the transaction of the
business of the day. The first thing in
| order was the calling of the roll.
A brief pause then ensued when Past
! Worthy Grand Patron L. Cabell William
son, of the District, presented magni-
ficent gavel of cherry wood from Mt, YER
non. 1t was adorned with hatchet and
the insignia of the order, the inscription
being. Presented to Mrs. Mary L. Part
ridge, NJ. w. G. NJ. by l.. Cabell VIII
! hanson. September q, 1885
The following past most worthy grand
matrons. Mesdames Elmira foley, L. ].
| Pitkin, Harry E. Matthews, and Nettie
| Rainsford, who We're in the audience. were
then invited TO take seats on the plat
| form. Mrs. Yost, of the District of Co
lumbia, past worthy grand matron of
! Ruth Chapter No. /, was also invited to
/ seat on the platform on account of her
1 services in behalf of the order and az
/ the pioneer of the District.
On motion of g. 3. Merritt, of Califor-
mia committee of five was appointed to
/ confer with the visiting members from
/ the States of New York. New Jersey. and
! Connecticut, and the following members
! appointed: G. B. Merritt of California;
/ J.. c. Williamson, of the District of CO.
/ lumbia; Mrs. Matthews, Of Iowa; Mrs.
! Rainsford. of Indiana, and Mrs. Pitkin,
of Illinois. The chairman appointed the
close of the morning session as the time
! for the committee to meet
The following committees were also ap-
/ pointed:
/ Credentials-Mrs. J. Z. Matthews Mrs
Mary Z. Pierce. and Mrs. Flora r. Moore
! Finance, ways and means-WIliam A
I Blossom, Mrs. NJ. l.. Chester. and Miss
Annie Phillips.
Unfinished business-Mrs. Carrie NJ
Perkins, Mrs NJ. Anna Hall. and A. Y.
Barrows.
Jurisprudence-Harr d. Rowe. L.
/ CabeH Williamson, and Helen II. Stires.
AppeaIs-Mrs. Nettie Rainsford Mrs
/ Libbie j. Demorest, and Mrs. Katie
! Deamer-
Charters-Mrs. Madeline B. Conkling.
/ Willis D. Engle. and Mrs. Annette II.
! Hooper.
Addresses. Penrose Williams. Mrs.
! Jennie Bradley. and Mrs. Matte Barney.
Mrs. Handy's Address.
The first speaker of the day was Mrs.
/ Carolyn A. Handy, w. G. M, of the Dis
| trict of Columbia. She was enthusiast
cally greeted both ar the beginning and
the close of her remarks. She said:
1T is my great privilege. in behalf of
! the Grand Chapter of the District of Co.
| lumbia, of eight constituent chapters
and of fourteen hundred loyal sisters and
! brothers of the Order of the Eastern
| Star, to welcome you to our beautiful
Capital City. Washington is the Mecca to
which the representatives of every socie-
ty. fraternity, sect, and interest gather,
and il seems as if the hand of Him who
| doeth ali things well could be seen in
the selection of this city, at this time. as
the scene of the deliberations OF the gov
erning body of our beloved order Our
streets have been thronged with men clad
in the habiliments of war. and our hearts
sickened with tales of horror from field
and camp. Weary of pomp and pagean-
try, Of strife and carnage, we contem-
plate with glad hearts the return af our
armies 10 paths of peace and turn with
grateful relief to an order founded on
charity. truth. and loving kindness, and
Spreading the gospel OF Peace on earth
good will toward men,
The Grand Chapter of the District of
Columbia, the youngest of the sisterhooi
of Grand Chapters, feels indeed honore1
and proud to receive as her guests this
brothers whose fame, nobly earned in
promoting the best interests of our order.
has preceded them. You are gathered
from every section of this broad land to
determine questions Of great moment to
the order. That your deliberations will
be characterized by harmony and fra
teTnity, and that the legislation enacted
at this session will be conceived in the
broadest spirit of truth and justice and
find hearty and loyal acceptance in every
member of the order there can be no
doubt. We bid you God-speed in your
beneficent efforts TO assist our brethren
of the Masonic fraternity in promulgat-
ing the sublime principles of brotherly
love, relief. and truth. We welcome
you to our hearts and homes. and to the
enjoyment of the hospitality we have
provided for you. In our noble streets.
avenues. parks, and public buildings.
symboiizing the wealth and power of our
Government. you will find warm hearts
to welcome you, and willing hands to
minister to your comfort We want each
and every one OF you TO feel that it is
good to be here. and when you depart
for your homes, may it be with delightful
memories of your reception among US.
and determination TO come again"
Samuel c. Palmer Speaks
The next speaker was NJ w. G. NJ,
F. & A. NJ, Samuel C. Palmer, who in
behalf of the Masonic order extended a
hearty welcome to the visiting delegates.
He congratulated the members upon .he
rapid growth of the order, and the assist
ance they had rendered in the benevolent
work of the lodges He referred to 1he