The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-04-07

The meeting or X or p lodges OF TIE
first district at Wallace last night
which was recently called by District
Deputy l.. B. Rogers. was a decidedly
pleasant and interesting occasion and
there were in attendance \ large num-
Der Of members from each OF the lodges
in this district
A party went up TO Wallace from
this city on q special train which
left Wilmington at o'clock and they
returned to the city after the meet
ing arriving here about 1:30 this
morning From the four X OF p lodges
in Wilmington there were more than
one hundred in attendance, while with
them on the special train were quite
a number Of the members of the lodges
in this section who arrived in the city
on the early afternoon trains yester-
daN.
The occasion was one Of the pleas
antest ever held by the district lodges
and the people Of Wallace entertained
their guests in most hospitable and
attractive manner.
After the convention which was held
in the Pythian hall, the members ad-
journed in a body to Sloan's hotel
where an elegant banquet was served
I The gracious ladies of Wallace were
present in large numbers at the ban
quet, having assisted greatly in max
ing it the pleasant and happy occasion
that it proved
The convention which net ar o.
clock. was called to order by District
Deputy Rogers and after the opening
ode there was a prayer by Rev. G. D.
Laneston, of Southport, Cf Richard
Caswell lodge, No. 153. The district
convention officers then assumed their
respective stations, after which the
visitors were cordially welcomed in
an address by Mr.. George r. Ward,
G. c., of the Wallace lodge, this having
been cleverly responded 10 by Mr. G.
n. Evans of Jefferson lodge this city.
The reports from the lodge deputies
were Zen received and all of these
were OF a most gratifying nature,
showing t5at the condition of the order
in this district is fine and that tre-
mendous gains have been made in the
membership during the year II the
increase continues at the present rate
until June District Deputy Rogers will
be able to report a gain Of nearly
so per cent to the Grand Lodge which
meets in Raleigh in June.
After the reports Of the officers the
convention adjourned and then the
banquet was served.
When the last course had been enjoy
ed those who had been selected to re-
spond to toasts were called ON and ev-
cry address was of an exceptionally
high order OF merit, the speakers hav-
ing been given close attention and
MANY sentiments aDDlaude5
Hon E. D. Smith Of South Carolina
well kniwn orator. was introduced
by Mr.. G. Herbert Smith OF Cronly
Lodge and he made an address that
could hardly be eXcelled, II having
been -couched in the most felicitious
language. He was followed by Mr.. w.
c. Crst OF Winston-Salem, grand chan
cellor who also made a strong and
stirring speech. Short impromptu
speeches were then made by Capt T.
D. Meares Of this city. supreme master
OF the exchequer, Capt, w. F. Robert
son, past grand chancellor, and Mr.. J.
d. Mutt. deputy state grand chancellor,
all Of these having been Of an inter
esting nature
After the closing ode the members
were dismissed by Rev. K d. Holmes
Of Stonewall lodge this city and the
visiting knights were soon Oh their
way to Wilmington.
The Wallace lodge members and the
citizens of that thriving town in gen.
eral did themselves proud and the
bounty Of their hospitality could not
he eycelled.
The lodges in the district are as fol-
lows.
Stonewall, No. 1; Clarendon, No 2:
Germania, No. 4; Jefferson, No. 61:
Clarkton. No. 121; Chadbourn No. 1876;
Whiteville. No. 1873; Richard Caswell,
No. 153; Council, No. ITO; Loyal, No.
175; Wallace, No. 176; Eliza5ethtown.
No 1856; Rose Hill, No. 1Ss; Croniy No.
1913.