Evening journal., 1903-04-06
SIR KNIGHTS
MEET IN NEWARK
Reports of the Grand Officers
Read at the Annual Con-
vention
INCREASE IN LODGE MEMBERSHIP
During Past Year There Was Increase
of 109-Statement Made BY Other
Officers Shows the Order to Be in
Good Condition.
Special to the Evening Journal.

Special to the Evening Journal
Newark, April 6.-The annual convention
Of the Grand Lodge Knights OF Golden
Eagle, is in session at this place today.
The following castles We're represented;
Apollo, St. George Crusaders. Pilgrim, |
Delaware, Chosen Friends. Hoekessin.
Roxanna. Union. Appointments. Christi
ana, Ivanhoe, Wyoming, Ivy, True
Knights and Blue Rock.
The convention is largely attended and |
much enthusiasm Is displayed. The
morning was taken up in reading the re-
ports of various officers and % is expected
that a spirited contest win be made for the
position Of Grand Sir Herald this after
noon when the election Of officers IS held.
There are several candidates for the ofhceI
Of Grand Sir Herald which Is filed this
year by a member Of the order hving out
side of Wilmington.
Grand Chiefs Report.
The report Of the grand chief IS as fol-
lows:
Sir Knights and Brothers: The wheels
Of time has once more rolled around and
through the blessings Of an all wise and
merciful God we have again met TO en-
gage in the labors and pleasures of our
twenty-ffth annual session. and IL is with
more than usual feeling Of gratitude and
satisfaction I extend TO you q heartfelt
and sincere welcome and as true Sir
Knights let us reverently render unto AL
mighty God that alteration, which is due
from the creature to the creator, and It is
alike our privilege and duty to acSnowl-
edge the leading and the shielding of the
benign hand of our Supreme Chief OF the
heavenly castle, which he has vouchsafed
to US during the twelve months which has
just vanished into the past, and while the
year which has just closed has had its
.rials and tribuladons, its heartaches and
SORROWS and its joys, yet we may turn our
faces TO the future with faith in Gods
wisdom in His dealings with us as In
dividuals and an order knowing that
whatever happens in the dispensation Of
His providence is for the best. Let US
lagain rendar unto God our heartfelt
thanks for His goodness and merciful care
over us, for our joys though mixed with
sorrow, for our pleasures though mingled
with pain, for our success though mingled
with disappointments, for our health
though broken at times with sickness, and
for that fa1h and hope which springs
eternal in the human breast and ever
buoys US up amid all vicissitudes.
When 1 accepted at your haEds tho high
ly responsible and honorable post OF
Grand Chief, u did so with the determina-
ton to do my best fer the welfare, growth
and success Of the order. we all so dearly
love and cherish, that have erred Is
: highly probable, 1t could scarcely have
been expected that all of my duties would
be performed in a manner entirely salts
factory 10 all. But assure you that the
best interests Of oar order has been my
constant aim, first last and always and
that my utmost exertions have been used
to further its interest, increase its pros.
perty and uphold it's honor, to what ex.
tent I have succeeded / leave for youI
better judgment to decide.
A large portion Of my time during the
year has been devoted 70 the interests OF
the order, not begrudgingly but willingly
The time 1 had to spare, I deemed il G
privilege and a pleasure to be permitted Il
devote it to so good and noble a cause an(
1 have tried to assist ana encourage any
and all Of my brothers that 1 possibly
could. Ny greatest desire was to get on,
or two new castles during my term, ant
I started out with that determination, bu
have been unable ito do so although
have had very encouraging reports from
my efforts in several towns down tn,
State, and 1 know of no reason OF m,
) failure only the high price of the charte
3 and supplies which the Supreme Castle
require Of us. while 1 regret very mucl
, my failure in institutng new castles. an
glad to think that the general condition.
Of the order at many of dts weaker point
have been materially strengthened.
r have given a great deal of my time Fl
p trying to build up and strengthen som
! Of the old and weolKer castles, which
4 found very much IN need OF encourage
1 ment and support.
p Ny experience has taught me that tn
order with strong castles though less 4
members is in a more healthy condito.
!. than larger number Of weak ones. i
many instances can very readily per
: ceive with satisfaction the benefits whlc
have resulted from my labors and exper
Z ences in this direction and in other IN
s stances where the good results are not S
= apparent they will surely come.
No Appointments Made.
. am proud to say that I have had n
! new appointments to make as all of IN
r brothers whom / appointed have don
Il their work we'll and faithfully for whic
they have my heartfelt thanks.
a Deputy Chiefs Report.
Reports were read from District Deput
y Grand Chiefs George w. Derricksol
n Harry W. Baker and William C. Nj
= Dowell. Ali three officials reported n
= standing Of the various castles under the
r. jurisdiction IN good condition.
Grand Instructor for New Castle CouI