Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-20

bright uniforms added much to the beauty
Of the visitations: and the officers and men,
bers Of the several companies displayed
much interest in the visitations, for which
am thankful. To the grand lecturer es-
pectally l owe debt Of gratitude and
thanks. Past Chancellor W. H. G. Sim
mons was appointed to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Grand Lecturer
G. F. Day. That he capably carried out the
arduous duties of the Office and eXemplified
the work Of the ritual in an entertaining
and instructive manner all who heard him
will attest. His assistance to me in making
the visitations fruitful and interesting was
invaluable. 1 desire to express my sincere
thanks to the Grand Lodge officers for their
punctuality in attendance upon all these
meetings and the interest manifested in all
matters pertaining to the good of the order
all during my administration / also wish to
extend to subordinate lodges my hearty
thanks for the aid given by them in making
the visitations great success, for it was
through their efforts that they were sue
ceSSfu.
Routine Matters.
II have received communication from
Webster Lodge, No. Z. for decision in re-
gard to whether the subordinate lodge or
the Uniform Rank performs the last serv-
ices at the grave on the occasion of a
funeral of a deceased brother. In answer
has full control, and the question should be
determined by it, bearing in mind the cour-
tesy, either to an outside organization or
to another branch of our beloved order,
which may and should on that solemn oc-
caSion control its action
ION April 4 called a meeting OF the off,
GERS of the Grand Lodge to meet with the
committee of forty-five for the purpose OF
making arrangements for the coming
Knights of Pythias fair. At this meeting
the committee was effectively organized by
the election Of officers and the appointment
of the various subcommittee. The work
for the fair is now in their hands and SO
far good results have been accomplished
1T gives me great pleasure to inform you
that the future of the military branch OF
our order looks brighter and unquestionably
more encouraging to its friends than 1t has
for some years past The companies have
all elected their officers for the ensuing
year, and in every case they have re- elected
the old officers. This speaks well for them
and shows that they have attended faith
fully to their duties. and that the members
have appreciated the same. They all I'M
derstand their duties, and can compete with
any officer of the National Guard or regu-
lars of similar rank. hope that this Grand
Lodge will continue to encourage them by
Offering some good prizes this year.
ITO the endowment rank We owe much
of the success which has attended our or
der in the past, and it needs no special
effort of mine to bring it before you at this
time. Its excellent features commend them
selves to all, and 1 earnestly solicit the sup
port in behalf Of this rank which its merits
deserve. There are now in this domain AGO
endowment rank members. carrying a total
endowment of $753, 600.
'sTo the officers and committees Of the
Grand Lodge 1 wish to extend hearty
thanks for the aid they have extended tn
me during my administration and desire to
extend once again to the officers and mem
bers Of the subordinate lodges my sincere
appreciation of their work during the year"
Report Of Keeper of Records and Seal.
Grand Keeper of Records and Seal Henry
]. Gasson, in his annual report, said: The
returns show that we are still making nu-
merical and financial progress. While no
new lodges have been instituted the older
ones have been strengthened. and for the
first time for many years no subordinate
lodge compelled to make assessments.
This gratifying condition has been brought
about in part by the change OF laws which
experience and business methods have
taught us is necessary for our preservation.
AT the last session Of the Supreme Lodge
a veteran jewel was adopted, and would
recommend that those of our members who
have been strong in faith and good works
for the twenty-five years necessary: to en-
title them to the same be exempt from the
law in regard to supplies. and the grand
keeper of records and seal be authorized to
furnish them at the list price Of the su-
preme keeper Of records and SEAL
During the year covered by the annual
reports the order in this domain suffered
the following losses: Past chanceIlors-
Percy l.. Moore. Myrtle Lodge. January s;
william B. johnson. Excelsior Lodge. jan
uary 1S; A. e. L. Reese. Syracusians Lodge
February "a: John W. Haislip, Webster
Lodge. March 30; Frank T. Porter. Calanthe
Lodge. April 16: Daniel O'Driscoll, Decatur
Lodge, September g; Joseph Cato, Column
bia Lodge. October 7: H. Bachenheimer.
Germania Lodge. December To- Knights
George A. Mcclellan. Union Lodge. Febru-
airy IA; Geo. H. Mortimer. Decatur Lodge.
March 1; Henry Price. Harmony Lodge.
April IL; Charles ]. Watson, Mount Vernon
Lodge. May 10; 8. J. Boyd. Harmony Lodge.
July g. Nathaniel Mckay. Superior Lodge.
July 10; John H. G. Debus. Century Lodge.
August Z: Charles Rau. Germania Lodge.
September %: E. J. Nelson, Decatur Lodge.
October q; A. E. jana. Mount Vernon
Lodge, October II. Since the close OF the
calendar year the order has also suffered
the loss OF Past Grand Chancellor Halvor
Nelson Of Superior Lodge. No. q.
At the session Of the Grand Lodge this
evening officers will be elected for the en-
suing term, and also a supreme representa-
tive for the years 1904 to 1907. inclusive.