Proceedings of the Fourteenth Annual Meeting of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin Held in Milwaukee, February 17 and 18, 1904

The Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin assembled in fourteenth annual meeting in Masonic Hall, corner of Jefferson and Oneida Streets, in the city of Milwaukee on Wednesday, February 17, 1904, and was opened with the full ceremonial of the Order by the grand officers.

Mrs. Rachael Gardner was appointed to fill the place of Grand Adah and Mrs. Rose Mead that of Electa, these two officers being absent.

….in the years to come, when Father time has dimmed the eye and turned the golden to silver, may the pleasant recollections of the time spent in attending the fourteenth annual session of the Grand Chapter of Wisconsin be the brightest jewel in memory’s diadem.

“We are not here to play, to dream, to drift,
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift.
Shun not the struggle; face it, ‘tis God’s gift.”

Worthy Grand Matron:

One of the very pleasant occasions of the year was a reception given in honor of my election by my home chapter, Pine Forest No. 96 of Merrill.

I have visited officially 84 chapters. I might have visited many more if the chapters had been ready to receive me when I was near them. I visited nine of the U.D. chapters and without exception found them enthusiastic and eager to learn.

Many questions submitted to me have been answered by referring to Ritual, Constitution or Rules and Regulations. I find many questions are asked over and over again.

Recommendation: That, for the present, we return to the plan of holding district conventions, that the Grand Matron may come in touch with all chapters in the Grand Jurisdiction.

Worthy Grand Patron:

I formulated and with the approval of the Grand Matron and the consent of the Grand Master of the state sent to the Worshipful Master of each Masonic Lode where there was no chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star the following letter:

“Dear Sir and Brother:
With the consent of the Grand Master, I take this opportunity of calling your and, through you, the attention of the members of your Lodge, to the Order of the Easter Star, which Order is so closely related to the Masonic Fraternity, being composed of Master Masons and the wives, daughters, mothers, widows and sisters of Master Masons.

Hence, it should be to the interest and welfare of every Lodge to have a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star within their immediate jurisdiction, thus enabling those who are near and dear to every good Mason to become members of this beautiful Order, dedicated to truth and loving kindness, and permit them to become co-laborers with the Masonic Fraternity in the betterment of man and womankind.

I desire to call your attention to the fact that many Lodges within the jurisdiction of the State of Wisconsin as well as other states, have found that the zeal and interest of their members have been greatly increased by the organization of a chapter of the Eastern Star.

Whatever prejudice may have once existed among Masons against the Order of the Eastern Star is fast disappearing, and the wonderful growth of the Order within our Grand Jurisdiction, being only 12 years old and numbering over nine thousand members, is sufficient proof that as an organization it is worthy of the protection and support of all good Masons.

The cost of organizing a chapter is small, and the benefits to be derived many.

If you cannot personally give this matter your attention, kindly hand this letter to an active member of your Lodge. Any information that may be desired pertaining to the organizing of a Chapter will be cheerfully furnished by me or by the Grand Secretary.”

During the year I have granted dispensations to institute chapters as follows:

Sheboygan with 9 petitioners
Waupun with 7 petitioners
Jefferson to be known as St. Cecelia Chapter with 7 petitioners
Port Washington to be known as Ozaukee Chapter with 7 petitioners.

Recommendations:

During the year I have had the pleasure of visiting quite a number of chapters and was on all occasions received with true sisterly and brotherly courtesy. From the work that I saw exemplified, I wish to congratulate Wisconsin upon the uniformity of the work and the efficiency with which same is rendered. Yet here and there innovations have crept in, and omissions made. Hence I would recommend that the state be divided into districts, and a deputy be appointed by the WGM for each district whose duty it shall be to visit each of the chapters in her or his district at least once a year, and instruct the chapter in the ritualistic and secret work of the Order, the expense of the visit to be paid by the chapter and that of the Grand Matron as soon as possible after the close of the Grand Chapter, hold a school of instruction at which all of the deputies must be present, the expense of said school to be paid by the Grand Chapter. I would further recommend that the Grand Chapter formulate and furnish each subordinate chapter with a uniform incoming officers’ march. Sister Grand Jurisdictions have adopted this plan with great success.

I have had inquiries from the following cities and towns relative to instituting chapters of the Order in their midst….Bristol, Mauston, Middleton….and in the near future I doubt not but that we shall have flourishing chapters in each of the above named places.

Resolution:

If a reception be given to the representatives and members of the Order by the Grand Officers, the expense of same be paid by Grand Chapter, the amount not to exceed $65.00. Adopted

On and after this convention the salary of the Grand Secretary be $400.00 per annum.
Approved

Entertainment:
Tuesday evening, Feb. 16th, a reception was given at the Plankinton House by the officers of the Grand Chapter to the representative and members of the Order. There was a large attendance. Music and light refreshments added to the pleasure of the evening.

Wednesday evening Arbutus Chapter No. 52 of Stevens Point exemplified the Ritualistic work before the Grand Chapter. The work was beautifully done. The officers were dressed in white and the introduction of fine music was a feature which all enjoyed. After the Ritualistic work was done, members of Milwaukee Chapter No. 2 gave the Adenda “The Star Crowned Cross,” with the Adenda there were several drills which were executed with a precision and accuracy which showed much hard work and care. Here too, there was much music and altogether it was a most enjoyable evening.

135 chapters
9,711 members