Proceedings of the 17th Annual Meeting of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin Held in Milwaukee, February 20 and 21, 1907

The seventeenth annual session of the Grand Chapter, OES of Wisconsin was held in the Masonic temple, Milwaukee, February 20th and 21st, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

All Grand Officers were present but the Grand Marshal. The Grand Matron appointed Sister Mary Miller of Monona Chapter to fill the vacancy.

Sister Belle Barr, Worthy Matron of Vega Chapter No. 76 of Milwaukee extended a fraternal welcome.

“In this Grand Chapter we have congregated some of the brightest minds and clearest intellects within our Order, and to them we look for such deliberations, for such wise counsel and guidance, as will make the Order of the Eastern Star loved by all and membership therein a passport into any and all society.”

“Bright Eastern Star, whose golden ray
Illumes our path, makes bright the way;
Shine on, still turning night to day
For those in need.

Let thy light shine in darkest places;
Illume the path of all earth’s races;
From Arctic to Antarctic glacis,
Chase, Hatred, Greed.
Let Faith, Charity and Love still be our Creed.”

Worthy Grand Matron:

Agreeable to the decision of the Grand Chapter, Deputies were appointed and a School of Instruction was held on Friday, February 23, which gave careful thought to the Ritual work and needs of subordinate Chapters.

Sussex Chapter No. 159 of Sussex was duly constituted on March 1 and officers installed by the Worthy Grand Matron, Jessie N. Luther, assisted by Sisters Brown and Reed of Waukesha Chapter.

Lemonweir Chapter No. 158 of Mauston was duly constituted on March 6 and officers installed by Past Worthy Grand Matron Elizabeth Little, assisted by Sister Mary Haines of Portage Chapter.

Ladysmith Chapter No. 157 at Ladysmith was duly constituted on March 9 and its officers installed by Past Grand Matron Allie E. Armstrong.

The District Deputy reports on file for 1906 show the majority of Chapters to be in excellent condition as regards uniformity of work, zeal and harmony.

When sudden disaster of earthquake and fire smote the fair city of the Pacific slope (San Francisco), a great tidal wave of sympathy swept round the world and all mankind were brothers. We were not unmindful of the piteous wail of sorrow; and I knew that before my call could reach you, you had heard and answered, pouring out with unstinted hand in every hamlet and city your treasures.

I have visited forty-four chapters, nearly one-fourth of all the chapters. I was privileged to attend the Annual Session of the Grand Chapter in Minnesota.

One of the pleasant occurrences of my official life was to attend the dedication of the Masonic Temple on December 27th, 1906 at Janesville, where I was invited to respond to the toast “the Eastern Star and the Masonic Fraternity.” This public recognition of our Order, on such an occasion was a great honor.

It was a pleasure to welcome Mississippi into the chain of Grand Chapters with fraternal greetings of Wisconsin.

I have had a large correspondence, having written and sent out over twelve hundred letters.

I yield to none in my heartfelt thanks for the honors accorded to me by this Grand Jurisdiction, and now as I surrender the trust imposed, I would join with Dear Tiny Tim who prayed, “God bless us every one.”

Worthy Grand Patron:

Like the rolling stone, like the endless chain, the effect of the work only begins when we lay down our burdens and in the future reap the benefits of the work done by the present-it is not for us to inquire who or when-that is for Him to judge who does all things well.

During the year many questions have been asked me relative to ballot. I have also been informed that the Worthy Grand Matron has had a similar experience…..After much serious thought upon this subject, I have come to believe that that part of the ballot box from which the balls are taken by the member balloting should be open and that the dark ballot should be a cube instead of a ball.

Merrillan Chapter at Merrillan, dispensation for instituting issued March 1, 1906. This Chapter was instituted by Past Grand Patron C. S. Stockwell on March 12, 1906.

Bristol Chapter at Bristol, dispensation for instituting issued April 25, 1906. This Chapter was instituted by myself May 4th 1906.

Twilight Chapter at Sun Prairie, dispensation for instituting issued May 1906. This chapter was instituted by Brother E. W. Polk on May 15, 1906.

Shawano Chapter at Shawano, dispensation for instituting issued May 14, 190. This chapter was instituted by Brother George Wheldon on June 22, 1906.

There was a large attendance at the meeting held Wednesday evening to witness the exemplification of the ritualistic work by the Grand Officers.

The Grand Chapter was called to order at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday morning. All joined in singing the Doxology.

169 Chapters
13,321 Members