Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-17

sumed and upon reaching the grounds the
program Of the day was begun.
After a selection by the band Mrs. Char
lotte NJ. Pine, grand chaplain of the Order
of the Eastern Star. invoked Divine bless
ing
William D. Mcfarland, Alexander Mosher,
J. Henry Kaiser and ]. Walter Humphrey,
rendered selection, after which Mrs Al
cena Lamond. president of the board OF d.
rectors, made an address.
1T Is with pride and pleasure she said,
1--WE welcome you here to-day. Sixteen
months ago you came here to participate
with US in the pleasure Of laying the cor
ner stone of the Eastern Star Home, and
you show your continued interest by being
again present today to witness the dedlca-
ton of this home to the worthy cause for
which it was established. 1t would no
doubt be appropriate at this time to give
you a short history Of how we came into
possession of this home In the year 1898
three little daughters destitute. Our
worthy grand matron, Mrs. Carolyn A.
Handy, called the matrons and patrons OF
our seven constituent chapters with all
past grand matrons and past grand pat
rons together, and by contributing 81 each
per month we were able to provide home
for these orphan children. AS each chap
ter held its election the incoming matron
and patron Inherited the position of con-
tributing 81 each month, the past grand
matron and past grand patrons being per-
manent heirs. Then tea was given at
Elizabeth Schneider's home, at which was
realized $500 for the cause, and up until
the present time we have paid the rent of
home for these children They have now
reached the age beyond the limit they can
be taken into the home, and they feel
quite able to get along without further as
sistance. This was the first special act
of charity done by the order and this slim
ulated US for further action.
I'VE saw the necessity for home. In
the year 1893, when a committee on the
Eastern Star Home was appointed, they
sent a communication to each constituent
chapter asking If they wished such a home
established and would they contribute an
nually % cents per capita for Its support
The reply was unanimously in the afirma-
tive. This committee further reported that
the home should be incorporated by an
act of Congress, and that Its name be
Masonic and Eastern Star Home; also
that the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons be requested to approve the estab-
lishment of such a home and name three
incorporators. A special committee OF
three was appointed by our Grand Chapter
to present the subject matter Of our reso-
lutions to the most worshipful grand mas
ter of Masons of the District of Columbia
Our communication was referred to a Spe-
cial conlncetee who reported at the semi
annual session of the Grand Lodge, May 8,
1900. They acknowledged the prospective
benefits derived from such an enterprise
but could not recommend the active par
ticipation of the Grand Lodge therein. This
report was accepted. We realize the Grand
Lodge was justified In its decision when we
considered the contemplated new Masonic
Temple in the city, and 1t was not wise to
have a division of interests"
After telling how money was raised and
of the many donations, Mrs. Lamond, con-
tinuing, said:
Donation of Five Acres.
Mrs. Sarah E. Seek offered US five acres
of the ground on which our home stands
And we purchased the other five acres at a
nominal sum, with twenty years in which to
pay for 1t. the notes bearing no interest. and
she has now generously remembered us in
her will. All notes left unpaid will revert
| to us at her death. Our desire to contract
no debt decided US to erect one wing Of our
building at this time On the 18th OF May,
1906 in this cornerstone we deposited our
faith that our labors would not be in vain,
and our hopes have been realized. We have
spent to the very best possible advantage
the funds that have been at our disposal,
and while we cannot boast Of magnificent
home, we are proud to say that not one dol