The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-10-29
Grand Lodge, |. o. O. F.

1.-THE annual session of the Grand Lodoe
gor, October 21st. Grand Master ]. R.
Townsend Of Augusta inShis annual re-
port recommended that in view of the
increased need of studying the ritual,
which the revision had caused, the num-
Der of rituals allowed each subordinate
lodge be increased from three to six. He
reported the dedication of six new halls,
giving unmistakable evidence of solid
growth and prosperity.
The grand master believed that no
more important matter would come be-
fore the session than the question of
making an actual beginning of a fund
for an Odd Fellows home. He said:
THE subject has been fully considered
by a competent committee and | trust
| that its report will receive decisive ac-
ton by the Grand Lodge
Grand Secretary Russell G. Dyer of
Portland reported the year was one of
prosperity, the net gain in membership
being 663 The total membership was
4,507, divided among $50 lodges. There
were 355 deaths against 299 the previous
year. The total amount paid for relief
was $S4, 376. The suspensions for nom
payment of dues were 31S against 354 as
shown by the previous report.
The meeting was attended by delegates
from nearly all the Odd Fellow lodges of
the State, and over one hundred past
grands were admitted to the grand lodge,
receiving the degree from the officers of
that body. VIM. c. Collet, grand master
Of the grand lodge of Massachusetts, and
George H. Fuller, grand representative
to the sovereign grand lodge from the
jurisdiction of Massachusetts, were pres
ent, both making interesting addresses
to the Maine Grand body. The usual re-
ports were submitted and accepted.
The election of officers was held during
the morning session, with the following
results: Hon. Ira G. Hersey, Houlton,
grand master; Herbert w. Sears, Port
land, deputy grand master; Frank B.
Miller, Rockland, grand warden; Russell
G. Dyer, grand secretary; w. E. Plum
mer, grand treasurer; James R. Town
send, Augusta, representative to the SOW
ereign grand lodge for one year. There
was no contest and the election was har-
monious and uneventful. During the
afternoon session reports from the vari-
Gus committees of the lodge were heard.
One of the most important was that of
the committee appointed to investigate
the advisability of building an Odd Eel
lows home inMaine. The committee re-
ported favorably and advised that a fund
be started for that purpose.
At largely attended business meet
ing of the Grand Lodge, and after long
and lively discussion, it was voted to in
crease the per capita tax five cents TO
further capitalize the Odd Fellows Or
phan home. The report of the commit
tee was IN the main favorable to the es-
tablishing of nome. At night smoker
was held in Odd Fellows hall for the visit
ing grand masters and delegates, by the
three local lodges. A glee club was on
hand to furnish music and many i'm
( promptu speeches were made. A. L.
Smith of Bangor, past grand master
and former representative to the sover-
eign grand lodge, acted as POSTMASTER.
The convention closed Thursday with
the 64th annual session of the Grand
=, Encampment. Grand Patriarch John M.
Ward of this city in his report said:
eve have reason to feel proud and
happy that our order is gaining in men,
bership, in wealth, in influence and in
brotherly love. Action speaks louder
than words; let US guard our duties close
~, IeIleiiipelH my tIidt whatever SOOu we
would do must be done now, for we can
pass this way but once"
The grand scribe reported that the
5000 mark in membership had been ex-
ceeded by Al. The net gain for the year
was 159, which was larger than for
years previous. The sum of $11, TO was
paid for relief by the camps.
Officers were elected as follows:
Charles F, Allen, Bar Harbor. GRAND
patriarch; Leon S. Merrill, Scion, grand
high priest; Reuel Robinson, Camden,
grand senior warden; Russell G. Dyer of
Portland, grand scribe; Albro E. Chase
of Portland, grand treasurer; Isaiah G.
Elder, Brunswick, grand junior warden;
John M. Ward, Bangor, grand repre-
sentative; H. C. Cope, Bar Harbor,
grand marshal; Charles J. Brown of
Ellsworth, grand sentinel; Walter H.
Blethen, Dover, deputy grand sentinel.