The independent-reporter., 1910-05-12

lioh Vi bhC AOd6C liNC gGdlb d6O anu
has always shown a great interest in
its progress and has been helpful in
many ways. Mr.. Frost, during his
visits to this lodge as d. d. G. NJ,
has made many friends who were glad
to see him in town once more. While
in town Mr.. and Mrs Frost were the
guests of Mr.. and Mrs. T. J. Heal.
Miss Frances c. Homer of Bucks
port, Grand Warden of the Assembly
was also present and spoke words of
encouragement to the members of the
Lodge. On Sunday, May s, Charles
Jackson of Portland, spoke to large
company of Odd Fellows and Re-
bekahs at Union church. Mr.. Jack
son is very able speaker and was
listened to with much interest. Mrs.
jackson also spent Sunday in town
and Mr.. and Mrs. Jackson were the
guests of Mr.. and Mrs j. L. Johnson.
Written for the fifth anniversary of
hOi ulH6 oldI IlSUthdu lOuS6, May q,
Harmony, Me-, by Mrs. l.. B. Rhoades:
Since the days, when God created
Eve to be a helpmate for Adam, the
fact that it is not good for man to be
alone remains the same, yesterday,
today and forever.
All down through the ages, in ev-
cry walk of life, woman has ever been
mans guiding star, to aid, encourage,
and to spur him onward and upward,
in every good and noble undertake
ing.
So, although the grand fraternity of
Odd Fellows did great things for the
uplifting of humanity, yet, as the
years rolled on, 1t was realized that
the best results could not be obtained
by man alone and in the year of
eighteen fifty one was formed, the Re-
bekah branch of Odd-Fellowship, the
wisdom of which has been most abun-
dainty demonstrated from its incep-
tion down to the present time. In the
year of 1879, January tenth, Evening
Star lodge of |. o. o. F. was insti-
tuted in this little village of Harmony
and for many years performed its
mission practically unaided.
After a time 1t was felt that the
lodge might do better and more eff
fective work by the help of woman,
and an effort was made to organize a
Rebekah lodge in Harmony, which for
various reason failed of accomplish
ment and the idea was relinquished
for the time being but never wholly
abandoned, and sometime later the
subject was again agitated and pc
tition presented to the Grand Lodge
with the result that date was set
and on the evening of May fourth,
nineteen hundred and five, Hon. Leon
Merrill, Master of the Grand Lodge
of Maine, R. G. Dyer, Grand Secre-
tary and Sister Minnie Spencer Pres
ident of the Rebekah Assembly, met
the petitioners in |. o. o. F. hall and
most ably assisted by Waverly De-
gree Staff of Pittsfield, Morning Star
Lodge, No. lis was instituted with
thirty-eight charter members, and at
this time it seems fitting that we pay
special tribute to Sister Annie NJ.
Frost, n. G., of Waverly Degree Staff,
also at that time Deputy President of
this District, who has ever shown
much interest in the progress and
welfare of our Lodge, and by her
presence and cheering words has CIV
EN- us great encouragement. We here
with give a list of the first officers of
Morning Star Lodge: N. G., Frances
Heal: V. G., Alma Whittier; Treasur-
er, NJ j. Dore; Recording Secretary,
Nettie Bemis; Financial Secretary,
Ethel Hight r. and l.. supporters of
~ G., Lavina Rhoades and Lillian
Libby; supporters V. G., Nellie Tib-
bits and Lottie Jacobs; Conductor,
May Reed; Warden, Jennie Davis:
Chaplain Estelle Hight; |. G., Josie
Morrill,; O. G., Flossie McPhetres. Our
Past n. G.'s are Frances Heal, Alma
Whittier, Jennie Davis and Nettie Be-
mis-. During the first year of our be-
ing as Lodge, many additions were
made to our numbers To be sure 1t
was sometimes awkward work, and in
our inexperience some mistakes were
unavoidably made.
AS time passed on we came to real
ize that we could not conduct our
limitations in as satisfactory and in
teresting manner as we could wish.
Accordingly in the month of March,
1906. our Degree Staff was organized
with Bro. W. S. Bemis as Captain and
right here let me say, we owe Bro.
Bemis much for his faithfulness and
great patience during the years he
has drilled what must, at times, have
seemed to him an unusually "awk-
ward squad"
Our thanks are also due to many
of the brothers who, by their expert
ence and better understanding OF such
matters have helped us out of many
puzzling situation.
Soon after the organization OF the
staff we were confronted by the
question of obtaining suitable para
phernalia for comforting the degree.
We were a poor little company and
funds were low, our regalias and 9TH
er expenses incidental to the institu-
ton of the lodge, having drained the
treasury. But we decided to give an
entertainment which we did In June,
1906. Again in 1908, another enter
tainment was given the proceeds of
which procured the crowns worn dur
every year to the Orphans Home
ing the degree work. We contribute
Fund, not a great deal, but what we
can. We are free from debt, and have
a snug sum In the treasury. In Au-
gust, 1907. by invitation, the Degree
Staff with others of the lodge to the
humber of forty, visited Winona lodge