Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-05-11
numbers Of this lodge and kept its
membership ct from Is to 100.

The present officers of the lodge are
C. e. Fowler, N. G..
George w. Burbank, Sec.
The lodge has undergone many linz
portsnt changes since its organization
eighty years ago, not only in member
ship, but in ritual work changing In
work from I've degrees to three, and
the work being now done by team.
Odd Fellowship is now Eighty years
old in the United States, growing from
five members, until in 1897 it had $780,
$50, and expended during the year. as
shown by official report, in charities
%. 1854 600 and this does not include In
dividual contributions Of the mem
bers. During these years 1t has visi-
ted the sick, relieved the distressed,
buried the dead and educated the Or
phsn, and in many of the States it is
building homes for the orphan and the
old and INDECENT members, comforting
blessings upon millions of people, and
like the gentle rains of heaven, it has
fallen alike on old and young.
Another remark we desire to record
of Mo. Valley Lodge No. 40. which
has perhaps no parallel in the history
Of lodges, and that is: Jas. Laughery
has been elected Treasurer of this
lodge for twenty three consecutive years
without opposition, and is today hold
ing the office with honor to himself and
satisfaction of his brethren.
Last year the lodge, as token of
regard, had prepared and hung in the
lodge room, portraits of DR.. Robert
McGavren, James Laughery, and d.
NJ. Harris, the portraits are splendid
piece of workmanship. finely framed,
and all the likeness very perfec Of the
members so honored by the lodge.
The lodge, some years ago. joined
with the Masonic fraturnity in bull
ding q large brick lodge building on
Erie street .7hich is Jointly occupied
by tho Odd.fellows and Masons
We might extend this article at con-
siderable length, but enough has been
said to establish the fact that Missouri
Valley Lodge No. 40, l. o. o. F. is
one of the best and most prosperous
institutions in this city, and is bestow-
ing its blessings and assisting in bull
ding up and sustaining social and NOR
al influences worthy its good name.
May its life be onward and upward.
Valley Chapter No 26, Order Of Eas-
tern Star was recognized in this city,
by authority of the Grand Chapter of
the State of Iowa, issued July 8, 1873,
to the following Charter members
Mary E. Boies; NJ. NJ. Harris; Anna
Davis; Ella Davis; Ella Douglas; Carrie
Todd; Jennie Manchester; Mary E.
Chapman; Belle Ransom; j. j. Logan;
Laura Miller; Laura A. Mann; Anna
Logan; Martha Pealan; Effie Nickel;
Mollie Mathews; Viola Pelan; Hattie
N; Logan; Lizzie Butler; Anna James;
Annie Schultz; G. G. Lahman: F. Shub-
le.
This degree, while no part of the
Ancient work of Ancient free and
Accepted Masonry, is nevertheless, q
most beautiful side degree. instituted
originally by that world renowned
Mason, Robert Morris, whose extern
sive travels, and valuable contributions
to the Craft, induced the Most Worthy
Grand Lodge of the United States to
confer upon him the honor of instltu-
ting the Degree of the Eastern Star, to
be conferred ONLY upon the mothers,
widows, wives, sisters, and daughters
of Master Masons, and to aid him f.
nancially for his valuable services in
mystery of Free and Accepted Mason
~. At first 1t was only conferred by q
Master Mason either IN the lodge room
or in the parlor at convenient time,
but soon it grew in numbers aud influ.
ence and moore systematic organiza.
ton was demanded. The Chapter was
the result, and a regular organization
with beautiful ceremoninial service
was adop9ed, which has been SO perfec.
ted that it is now one of the very best
organizations extant, and is growing
in Importance and usefulness, and is
spreading its blessings in to every city,
town and hamlet In the Union. Its rit-
pal teaching is sublime, and while it
does not claim for it's organization any
religious faith or political creed, it
does demand faith in God, the supreme
--'-- NJ the universe, and
creator ana r,.1y. :.
q moral character in the member. IN,
its membership is to be found the very
best class of society, and its secrets is
merely to protect its members against
the unworthy. and to unite into a great
sisterhood only those who are worthy
to bow at the altar of fraternity and
to tehold the Star In the East. Its q
bright Star, borrowing its light from
the Bible. No brighter Star has ever
illuminated the world save the Star of
Bethlehem appeared in the East over
Eighteen Hundred years ago. May it
continue to grow in numbers, and in
crease in usefulness, growing in its
brightness until its refulgsnt glory
shall fill the earth as the waters fill
the sea, aud its teachin bless all the
people.
Mrs. M. C. Burbank, N. G.
Miss Lulu EdgecOmb, Seq.