The Somerset reporter., 1899-12-07
ON GERS Installed.

drAnd Patron Samuel l.. Miller OF the
order OF Eastern Star OF Maine, WAS IN
town, Monday evening, and 10 Grange
Hall duly instituted sunset Chapter,
which had been running under dispen.
satlon lfor year past. He also per
formed the ceremony Of installation OF
The officers who have served since cleo
tlon 10 December OF ls9s. The names
of these officers were given at that time,
and an election of officers for the coming
year will take place IN two weeks.
Mrs. Blanche Ward. Worthy hatron
of the Norridgewock chapter OF the or
der. acted as Grand Marshal during the
evening, performing the work with
great acceptance.
Sunset Chapter, although working
under dispensation, Is vigorous organ-
zstion OF 81 members, and Is evidently
doing excellent work. Invitations were
issued TO the Masonic fraternity in town
aud their lady frieuds to attend this
meeting. Monday evening, and good
number availed them selves Of the oppor-
tnnty of Witnessing the impressive work
of institution and installation, and to
partake Of good cheer provided by the
ladies of the Chapter.
Skowhegan ladies' excel In performing
ritual work, and the ladies' of Sunset
Chapter form no exception to this geu-
eral rule. They are also fully abreast
other Skowhegan ladies in the art
of spreading an attractive and toothsome
feast, as all their guests OF Monday even.
ing will testify, were testimony neces.
sary. Worthy Matron. Mrs. Brainerd,
prior to the entry of the party into the
dining room, announced that light
lunch would be served. A visitor in
quired of her what heavy lunch would
consist of II that wSs light one.
Gen. Isaac Dyer said grace, and, after
all had partaken OF the feast, Brother N.
" Brainerd called for order aud happily
introduced the several speakers.
Grand Patron Miller was the first
speaker. He gave brief account of the
origin of the order of the Eastern Star,
its primitive inception on the other side
OF the ocean, tracing II through success
siye steps TO the present time. The
order II independent. The Grand Chap
ter Is not under control of the Masonic
Grand Chapter, neither Ia any chapter
of Eastern Star under she direction Of
auy Masonic lodge The only connee.
tlon IL that a man 10 join the order must
be an affiliated Mason, aud any woman
to be eligible must be a wife, daughter,
sister, or mother of such mason.
There has been prejudice against the
order but II Is wearing away. A chap,
ter of the Eastern Star is benefit 70
any lodge. The tendency is to make
men desire To become Masons so their
wives may Join the Eastern Star.
There are 1000 members and "a chap
tiers In Maine
Mrs. K. +. Fairbr 1ther read poem
appropriate TO the occasion, composed
by Maine lady, member Of the order.
Col. w. II. @. Estes, veteran Mason,
said he had no fear that the order would
be detrimental to Masonry, as some
feared. He hoped Sunset Chapter had
come to stay. The order Is the ally and
handmaiden of Masonry and cannot be-
come rival. In noting the great
change in the Masonic mind In regard
TO this order, he referred to matter of
unwritten history in this town. A
prominent member and officer of Somer-
set Lodge, some 80 years ago, went
away and took the Eastern Star degree
for the sole purpose of starting chap.
ter here in Skowhegan. But the old
substantial members set their faces
against It so determidly that no more
WAS heard of the Eastern Star or of that
brother "a an officer of Somerset Lodge
during the lives of those substantial
members.
Geo. w. Cover, Esq, alluded to the
conditions under which Masonry has
developed through past ages. In the
early time, woman WAS little better than
a ehattel. Masonry Is not progressive
There Is no departure from the ancient
landmarks. Woman can never be d
Mason, but through the order of the
Eastern Star she can be a CO. worker In
the Masonic work of helping the needy
brother and widows aud orphans. Tn,
order can never be and was never iu
tended to be "A rival of Masonry.
Altogether the occasion was delight
full one to participants and must be t
benefit to the order.