Evening star., 1940-01-07
Star Order Has Become One of Largest Organizations Dis
SessiOnHere
On Thursday
Grand Chapter to
Have Gathering
OF Members
By John Clagen Proctor.

NOW CIldL we IldNC P0ooCu ONC3 V44C
yuletide season and have celebrated
the birth of Christ, it might be inter-
esting to know that one Of the larg-
est organizations in Washington
and one which is partly world wide
is based on the coming of the Savior
of mankind. It is called the Order
of the Eastern Star, and though it is
still slightly short of being so years
old in the District of Columbia. it Is
much older elsewhere, the idea prob
ably having originated in France as
early as 1870. though the modern
name was not then used, and there
were many other differences.
In the United States Robert
Morris (not the financier) and
Robert Macoy were the pioneers in
the modern development of the
order, which, although associated
with Freemasonry, is not part OF
that body, for the very important
reason that women are not eligible
for the degrees in Masonic lodges.
But in nearly all the States there
is close tie between members OF the
Masonic order and the members OF
the Eastern Star. which admits both
men and women, and the latter,
very definitely, makes Masonry a
qualification for admittance.
The local chapters Of this body
throughout the General Grand
Chapter jurisdiction are, with few
exceptions, controlled by the Grand
Chapters, and these in turn by the
General Grand Chapter, the head
quarters of which is in this city in
what was once the Perry Belmont
mansion, 1913 New Hampshire ave-
nue. NV. When the Prince Of
Wales, later Edward VIII and now
the Duke of Windsor, visited Wash
ington in 1919 he was quartered at
the Belmont house together with a
part of his staff.
Branches Outside Country.
Under the jurisdiction of the Cen
eral Grand Chapter, besides the
Grand Chapters of the United States,
there is also the Grand Chapter of
Canada and subordinate chapters
under the General Grand jurisdic-
ton, located in the Hawaiian
Islands, Mexico, Nova Scotia, Philip
pine Islands, Prince Edward Island.
Alaska and Panama. The total
membership in the supreme jurisdic-
ton is slightly less than 100000.
The founding of the present local
branch of the Eastern Star was due
to the thoughtfulness of Henry Yost,
sr, of whom his daughter, Mrs.
Carrie Y. Pollard, writes:
'In 1892 Stansbury Lodge was
honored in the Grand Lodge by
Brother Fred G.. Alexander worship
full grand master The lodge was
most desirous of having good rec
ord for their grand master. A large
debt, due that year, must be liqul-
dated to make this good record for
Stansburys first grandmaster. After
much discussion, Brother Henry
Yost, sr., was appointed chairman
of committee to raise money enough
to cancel this Indebtedness.
THE committee decided to hold
a fair. In April Is to % inclusive
the fair was held at National Rifles
Armory, G street NV. Brother Yost
and his co-Workers realized the need
of more ladies than those Of Stans-
bury Ladies' Aid to make this fair
g success.
"a letter was sent to each lodge
in the Jurisdiction, telling them a
booth would be named for each
lodge, and asking their aid and sup
port, also, that two ladies be sent
from each lodge to assist at the
booth named for a lodge. The hearty
responses, the good work, together
with the social enjoyment OF the
workers, especially the ladies, made
this fair a wonderful success. In
appreciation and gratitude, Brother
Yost felt that fraternal organiza-
ton of the wives, daughters, mothers,
widows and sisters OF Master Ma
sons would continue this good fell
lowship, and was due the ladies for
their wonderful help to Stansbury
Lodge. Brother Yost suggested this
to Stansbury Lodge, whose members
applauded the suggestion and
pledged him their support
Brother Fred G.. Alexander grand
master. promised permission to use
the lodge room for their meeting
place.
Meeting Ordered.
THE grand master worked to
make this plan of Brother Yost a
success. After many meetings, held
in homes of interested friends,
Z Brother Yost got in contact with
the General Grand Chapter, Order
of the Eastern Star. Brother Yost
and friends decided this was the
organization desired. After further
communication with the General
Grand Chapter, letter was received
by Brother Henry Yost, ST., dated
May 30, 1892, from the right worthy
grand secretary, Lorraine J. Pitkin,
stating an application blank for a
charter was mailed to him, and in
structing him to call a meeting, Sc
lect a name for the chapter, place
of meeting, first three officers, to
get as many to sign as desired for
charter members, send fee of $40
with the application, and assuring
Brother Yost there would be no de-
lay, as the General Grand Chapter
was most desirous of having chap
ter in the Nations Capital"
There were several preliminary
meetings called for the purpose of
getting together a group Of eligible
members who were willing to spon-
sor the pioneer chapter in the Dis
trict. The first meeting was held
at the home of Benjamin F. Nc
Caully, 918 o street NV, and others
soon followed at the homes of Fred
G. Alexander and Allen S. john
son. Mr.. McCaully. who died re-
Gently, will be recalled as an active
member of the Association of Oldest
Inhabitants. For many years he
was engaged mere in the livery stable
business and was well-known
horseman. Mrs. B. F. McCaully