Evening journal., 1899-11-15

a lodge In Sussex county. but as yet
no definite action has been taken.
Naomi Lodge. No. 3. maintains its
superiority for good work and fnan-
cial ability Indeed. many other lodges
might take lessons and gain much by
following the business methods OF this
ledge.
MEMBERSHIP.
Bros Sisters. Total.
Last report. 40 l57
Admitted during year14 Is
lOl "a l75
Bros Sisters. Total
Dropped ............l ~ IA
Died .........., .... 5
Bros. Sisters. Total.
Present membership. SS 20 1853
FINANCIAL.
Receipts
Balance on hand last report Sl,7l4S1
Receipts during the year .... 1912
$2,152.5s
Expenses
Relief OF members. 6O.OO
Lodge expenses ...... 1880 1880
Available funds ..........Sl, 900. .O3
Members Of the order by affiliating
with this lodge can materially
strengthen the interests which we have
undertaken 10 promote and advance.
April 2S, 1893, / received from Bro
ther J. Frank Grant, grand secretary
of the Sovereign Grand Lodge the
XVIII volume of the proceeding Of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge bound in the
usual style. II has been placed In the
Grand Lodge Library.
The receipt book containing the
vouchers OF the grand secretary, and
the signatures Of the grand treasurers
for the past fifty years, having become
much dilapidated by use. needed re-
binding. II is now in good condition.
with capacity for another fifty years.
II has been deemed wise and inn
portant by this Grand Lodge that a
detailed statement OF each and every
subordinate lodge shall be sent to the
grand secretary within two weeks after
the end OF a term, under the penalty OF
being suspended or forefeiting charter
or property, or both. Notwithstanding
this penalty great difficulty is expert
enced In securing this compliance from
a few lodges, even when two months
overdue
There is no reason why such condi-
uon should exist IL renders almost
Valueless the efforts of those who are
prompt and creates a position that is
embarrassing and unpleasant
APPEALS.
On February 49, 1899. through cour.
tesy 70 the financial secretary of Fair.
TAX Lodge, No. 8, / forwarded to the
grand master, at Dover. the appeal
OF Brother Franklin c. Melvin from
the action of Fairfax Lodge, No. 8. and
on March 3, 1899, the appeal OF George
Z. Guthrie. p. G.. from the action ot
the same lodge, the claim in each case
DelnB Illegal suspension from member.
ship.
On the 10th Of April the report of tn,
committee on appeals, in both OF tn,
aDoNe cases, was placed in my hand.
and transmitted to the grand master
The documents were returned anf
again submitted to the committee fol
review, and again returned through
thls Office TO the grand master wht
approved the report on May 6. 1899.
AS soon thereafter as possible a con-
or each report was prepared and deliv
cred TO Fairfax Lodge. No s. on thei
meeting night. May -. The seal wa
not impressed on these copies. -bu
otner copies We're made, the seal of tn
Grand Lodge impressed. and dc
leveIed to Fairfax Lodge. No. 8. al HI
meeting May is. 1899.
A SUGGESTION.
As usual, a decrease in membership
Is noted, caused, mainly, by suspen
sions Tor non-payment Of dues. Thi
cause has always had an existence. bu
IN the palmy days Of the order il al
uacted but little attention. Then tn
mutations were numerous and FIRE
quent, much more than counter-bal
ancing the losses. Within tbe lae