The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-11-15
GRAND LODGE
OF DELAWARE.
Annual Communication of
the Independent Order
Gf Odd Fellows
Now in Ses-
sion.

Tho &C th. annual communication of tn,
l. o. q. +. of Delaware is In session IL
this city today. Grand Muster Benz. F.
Sheppard in his annual report says:
Another cycle Of time has rolled around
and we meet again as Inembers Of the
Grand Lodge Of Delaware Of the Indepsn-
| dent Order of Odd Fellows in this our
Sixty-.ixth Annual Communication.
wont forth at yout bidding one year
ago, with the emblem Of authority in hand
and return to-day to give au account of
the work committed to me. In max ing
this report desire to record my gratitude
to Almighty God for all the benefits and
blessings bestowed upon U.s. further do.
sire to thank the members of the Order
70 their kind treatment during my in
cumbancy.
We are constantly reminded that we are
mortal; the grim monster death lays his
hand on tho young man In his prime, the
middle aged in his usefulness, andthe aged
pilgrim, as he leans upon his staff. While
we deplore the losses that have come, and
sympathize with the Lodges and friends
we feel glad tho mortality has been so
limited. Death has entered our Grand
Lodge and one of our honored members
has passed away to that bourne from
which no traveller returns. p. Il. r. David
Downs. OF jefferson Lodge No. p died on
the 18th day of5January Of the present
year.
NJ hat
some suitable action DO taken at this
session Of the Grand Lodge, tending to
reduction OF the initiation fee In tho
Subordinate Lodges. The time has
arrived when the Independent Order OF
Odd Fellows must compete with similar
institutions that have como into existence,
that offer the same benefits under less
fee than our.
In returning 70 you the emblem of my
authority, which you placed in my hand
one year ago, l. return the same
to you clean and pure, unstaned by any
act of mine. l must state it is with feel
ings of deap regret that have been un-
ablo to visit all the Lodges in the State.
Having given you statement Of my Of.
fetal acts. during the past year I conclude
with q sincere wish that your lnbors at
this session may rebound to the good OF
our Grand and Noble OrdcrAand that you
may return to your several homes at Its
close with consciousness Of duty we'll
performed
GRAND sECRETARYs REPORT.
Two.thirds of century have passed. into
the lap Of time since this Grand Lodge
hold its first annual session. These sess-
ions have always Ecen popular source
Of pleasure and inspiration to lis partici-
pants.
The work of the year In scme respects
has not met our expectations but we have
boon able to do much good, whore and st
the time it was needed. For details you
are referred to the accompanying statist-
cal compilation.
MEMBERSHIP.
Number reported last year, 26O2; inlti-
ated, so; admitted by card, 2; instated,7
Withdrawn by card s; Suspended 1l6; died
a.; present membership. 1886; loss in
Correspondence has been opened with a
view of instltuting Lodge in Sussex
County. but as yet no definite action has
been takon.
AS usual, decrease in membership is
noted, caused, mainly by suspensions for
non- payment of dues. Within tho last
decade it has been subject for serious
consideration that gains arc no longer
placed to our credit.
In looking about for cause for this re-
suit the conclusion has been reached,
that to meet the popular favor the charg-
es for membership she uld be reduced.
An organization, to be strong and SER
must add to its numbers. With
out growth Its Influence is weakened.
This growth is necessary to vigorous
existence. How shall it be obtaiEedY
1t is the opinion of many prominent
brothers that the solution OF the problem
can be met by reducing the fees for initia-
tory and other degrees by at least fifty or
seventy five per cent.
The accounts Of the Lodges with tho
Grand Lodge are in good shape, there be-
ing no delinquents. No cause for regret
exists except the loss In membership,
which can and should be retrieved. Fra
ternally. Isaac W. Hallam, Grand Socre-
tarv.
REPORT OF GRAND REPRESENTATIVES,.
Eighty years ago American Odd Fellow.
ship was born. Seventy-GHe years since
,he Grand Lodge of the United States-
now the Sovereign Grand Lodge-camo
nto existence,
Wonderful has been the development of
his fraternity. In 1919 one lodge and five
members. In 1859, II, il9 lodges and 800,
,6l members During the last sIxtY-nine
,ears 2252, 7S4 persons have crossed our
threshold and from a total revenue Of 1909
'33, $50. 13 during this period, the sum OF
SO, 9O3, ,642 81 has beon distributed, not in
llms, but in fraternal and bIotherly relief
The next session will DO held in Rich
nond, Va.
We had a royal good time in the renew
/ of pas. friendships and in meeting once
more In hat body Of grand, good men,
he s. G L., for all which we arc indebt-
ID to you all.
Respectfully submitted,
h. w. Jester