The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-15

the visitors with cordiality that will make
mem rejoice that they came. This is shown
IN the proffers OF assistance made to the
committee on arrangements by our city,
county and state officers, by our sister
fraternal societies, by our clubs nv our
merchants and by people In all professions
and businesses.
III is source Of great pleasure also to
know that the people Of this city will not
De disappointed in those who will come
next week The REPRESENTATIVE ., the
sovereign Grand Lodge are men OF the
highest type Of citizenship. strong men Of
able minds. representing the force and
energy OF their respective communities
1helr nrst introduction to our people will
De at the welcoming meeting at English's
opera House Monday to-morrov) morning
al o. clock Upon this occa.io I am sure
that they will meet with our best people
ana In such numbers as to make them feel
an overwhelming sense OF welcome.
The benefit of this meeting to US is more
than that which will come to our people
IN financial way" continued Mr.. Ieedv
VI course these visitors will necessarily
IeaVe an immense amount Of money with us
TOT the good Of our city and State. but this
- OF small consequence as compared with
the good that will rebound to the order
III lne enthusiasm that II will create and in
me growth that will emanate therefrou
Inc increased activity in our lodges. in
auullions 10 membership, In improved de-
gree work, etc. has been noticeable almost
from the beginning OF the agitation a wear
ago 1or the meeting OF the Sovereign Grand
Aooee In this city. And this activity Is
seheral. Lodges 100. 200 and 200 miles AWAY
nave Ielt the influence OF IL quite as much
as those near this city. This growth will
Do permanent. There will come from II an
increased membership OF great numbers
and this Is saying a good deal when II f.
known that In the past year our growth
was the greatest In the history Of the or
der-mors than 65OOO
THE PRIZE DRILLS
'The same influence will apply TO the
prize drills. There have not In recent
years been large inducements offered for an
Increase in Patriarchs Militant, but the
splendid prizes that have been offered this
year have brought to the front scores of
cantons that have been quasi dormant
heretofore. but that have suddenly begun
preparing themselves for this contest and
these cantons will no doubt keep up the
good work after the contest IS over Some
OF them will be successful In winning
prizes and 1t will be necessary for them to
maintain their high standard of efficiency.
while others will seek to supplant the win
ners Of next week
In every way we look at IT, nothing but
good can come from the meeting OF the
Sovereign Grand Lodge Too much cannot
be said also about the good that will come
from our degree contests. At no time in
the history OF the order have these con-
tests been put upon such q scale OF excel
lence, nor has there at any time been any
thing like the number Of STATS that We
have entered here for next week
III one will notice the programme for
each day next week he will see that every
afternoon and night from two to four de-
gree STATS in from five to six different de-
grees will be giving the work and that In
the four days in which this work is to be
done-Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday-more than fifty degrees, prob
ably the best that have ever been given
anywhere, will be exempliied for the bene-
fit OF the membership.
'If there has been improvement IN the
dramatic or ritualistio work anywhere in
the country it will develop next week and
those OF our people who attend these de-
gree contests will get the benefit of this i'm
rrovement.
''As look back over these ARRANGEMENTS
that we have made for welcoming the
Sovereign Grand Lodge and for demon
stration in connection Herewith, can only
see a complete arrangement for the best
interests Of Odd Fellowship. If 1 were to
begin over again to plan for this meeting,
do not know OF an individual thing that 1
would add or omit. The minute details,
too, have been looked after with unusual
care. When the sun shall rise on the
morning OF Sept Is 1 am confident that
there will not be a single item OF ar
rangement that has not been anticipated
and provided. am entirely sanguine both
for the beginning and the end OF the week.
'It will be observed also that we have not
sought to overshadow anything. We have
taken advantage OF the holding of the
State fair at this time 10 afford amuse-
ment and instruction to those that will not
be interested in the prize contests or in any
of our public meetings. So, too. we have
endeavored to give information to those
who shall visit us Of the theaters that will
be open at that time and any other at
fractions that will interest a reasonable
number. We have endeavored to make it a
complets week for everybody, each in his
own way employing his time.
THE OPEN MEETINGS.
$50 far as possible we hope our citizens
will take advantage of all of these meet
ings to which the public is invited The
speakers who have been selected for these
various occasions are the brightest in the
order, men and women of national reputa-
ton as public speakers and thinkers and
who will present Odd Fellowship and fra
ternity in the ablest way.
1.-THE principal public meetings include
the welcoming meeting at English's Opera
House Monday tomorrow morning, at
which Lieut. Gov. Newton w. Gilbert,
Mayor Thomas Taggart, Grand Master
Thomas r. Jessup and Grand Sire A. c..
Cable will be the orators.
AT the past grand representatives re-
union in the Grand Lodge Hall Wednesday
evening the speakers will be men of no
less eminence Mrs Lafollette will speak
a. the memorial service at Colfax monu-
ment. I'm University Park, Wednesday after
moon and those who have ever heard this
81 1.sae 81 l.