The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-29
CBy d. A. G. QUITS. w. C. P3

good standing In their lodges and
their wives, daughters. mothers. sis
ters and widows. Its origin or begin
ming Is not definitely known. and at
first IL was very loosely held together.
About 1S45-1S50 Is the first known Of
the degrees being conferred in the
United States. The work has been
perfected and has grown rapidly be-
cause there was need for such an Or
der. Today II Is as complete and
beautiful in ritulalism and the lessons
Ii teaches are as impressive and up
lifting as those taught In the Masonic
Lodge or a Pythian castle hall. 1t Is
as complete In Jurisprudence and
government as any fraternity. Each
State has subordinate chapters held
together and working under a Grand
Chapter. and these State Grand Chap
ters are part OF the General Grand
Chapter, composed OF every State in
the United States except Delaware.
The General Grand Chapter was or
ganized November 16. 1876. which
was practically the birth of the or
ganization. but not the beginning of
the order or founding of the degrees.
Mississippi. a Southern State. was
the first one TO pass resolutions ur-
ging the organization of the General
Grand Chapter. the governing body
OF the order of the world as now con-
stituted. Besides having Grand Chap
ters with subordinate chapters in
every State except Delaware, there
are chapters in Mexico. Youkon VAL
ley and Alaska. British Columbia, Ha-
waiian Islands. In Manila of the
PHILIPPINES, In Barmares and CAL
cutta. India, and a Grand Chapter in
Scotland. which has introduced the
work into England. Thus you see the
sun never sets on the good work Of
the Order OF the Eastern Star
This Is the largest organization Of
its kind In the world. 1t numbered
In 1907 about 100000 and was in
: reasing at the rate OF $4,000 a year.
Everywhere its work Is charitable and
benevolent. and nearly every State
contributes its share TO these pur-
poses. Some are helping the Masons
build Masonic Homes and others are
building Eastern Star Homes where
the Masons have not a Masonic
Home.
Last November circular letter was
sent TO the Grand Secretaries of each
Grand Chapter In the United States
asking for information about the
benevolent work of the Eastern Star.
The facts and figures below given
were taken from the reports. No re-
ports were received from Maine,
Michigan. Missouri. New Mexico, Ohio,
Oklahoma and West Virginia. al
though repeated requests were made
for such. The information given here
has required much time and patience
TO obtain, as II has TO be gathered
here little and there a little," and
then put In shape. Doing this has
been labor OF love to me, and / am
fully repaid for the trouble in being
able TO give my sisters and brothers
Information sorely needed. and which
trust VII result in much good to
the Eastern Star and Masonry. The
figures are reliable IL the informa-
ton furnished me was correctly Civ
en-. IL Is my opinion that the figures
are too conservative, for much has
been contributed and careful records
have not been made. No effort has
been made TO ascertain the amount
given by local chapters for local re-
lief. Doubtless this would be a con-
siderable sum II 1t could be tabula-
ted
What The Eastern Star Has Done.
There has been raised by the East
ern Star In the various States for
charity the sum OF s423.33S.S6 within
the past few years. This is indeed
very remarkable showing when it is
considered that IL Is the work mostly
Of our sisters and IL has been done at
the very beginning OF the organization
Of the order. In nearly every State the
Masons are benefited by having the
Eastern Star TO assist them i'm their
grand and noble work. helping man
Kind to a higher sphere Of happiness
and usefulness and giving aid and
comfort To- our dependent and loved
ones.
What Each state Has Done.
Alabama has no Eastern star Home
or prphanagc. hut are helping the
Masous and have contributed S2.IoO.
Arizona has no Home and has rais-
Al a.. ff,ttUr