Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-10
WATERVILLE.
THE GOOD TEMPLARs
Listen to Reports Showing the Pros
perity of the Order.

The 44th annual session of the Grand
Lodge of Maine, l.. o. G. T., was in full
swing in the American Mechanics hall,
yesterday. The attendance was very
large. The storm cut this down some
usually large and promises to be the
best session held by the Grand Lodge
for a number of years.
The first item of business was the
work of the credential committee. This
committee reported that 80 lodges were
represented by As delegates and that
there were As voting members present
at the meeting. The following of the
grand officers Were present at this
meeting: Grand Chief Templar. A. H.
Newbert. Rockland, who opened the
session: G. V. T., Mrs. j. o. Plaisted,
White Rock; G. G. S. J. T., Mrs. E. P.
Alexander. Belfast; G. Sec, G. Z.
Bracket, Belfast; G. T.. o. S. Norton,
Portland: G. Chap, Rev. w. Moore;
G. Marshal, G. S. Oliver; D. NJ, Annie
EFT, Belfast; sentinel, H. r. Brown;
guard, T. NJ. Glendenning: organisi,
Mrs. J. r. Pollard: p. G. c. T., F. C.
Holt.
The Grand Lodge degree was taken
by 25 members. The report of the
grand chief templar was the only one
received and read at the forenoon ses-
sion. This was declared to be the best
for years. The condition of the lodge
at present was carefully reported and
was very encouraging. The order is
now enjoying a revival of interest and
is growing. The membership at pres
ent is reported to be 5000. During the
past year eight new lodges have been
organized. With the exception of three
counties the lodge is reported to be in
better condition than ever before.
Every county in the State is now
represented. Among his recommended
tons the chief templar mentioned more
work in the field in the way of speak
ing and organizing new lodges. In this
connection he warmly complimented F.
w. Gowen of this city, for the work he
had done in this line during the past
year. Mr.. Gowen is a very enthusi-
astic worker in the good of the order
and devotes all the time he can spare
from his own business to lecturng
and organization.
1t was also recommended that any
member in good standing in subordi-
nate lodge shall be eligible as a repre-
sentative or delegate to the meetings
of the grand bodies
1t was also recommended that in Ar
ticle !, Section s, the words place Of
holding sessions be struck out, as the
annual session is now fixed by law and
the semi-annual session is decided by
the Grand Council. hence representa-
tives have no vote in the matter.
The grand templar also recommended
the endorsement of Sheriff Pearson in
Cumberland county in all his work Dur
ing this address. some interesting facts
regarding the order were brought out.
The order was organized in 1851 and since
then 12,o0O,O00 people have taken tn,
pledge. At present there are $4,000 in
good standing in the world. with 13 900
subordinate lodges and 81 lodges In the
English navy every ship has subordi-
nate lodge. while in the American navy
there are but three.
The treasurers report shows that there
is at present a good balance in the treas
ury. During the past year the debt has
been reduced $500. A small debt still re-
mains but 1T is expected that this will be
wiped out in six months. The receipts
for the year were sl623.5O and the expenii-
lures $1563.oS.
Mrs. Z. p. Alexander, superintendent OF
Junior temples, reported that all the tenn
pies are in good working order. Several
new ones have been organized during the
past year and the condition of them all
has improved.
The evening session was devoted to the
State Institute Of Juvenile Workers and
Temples and was very interesting one.