Twentieth Annual Session Wisconsin Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star Held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin October 5th and 6th, 1910

March 31, Mabel Chapter No. 183 at Rhinelander was constituted and the officers installed by Grand Lecturer Sister Little.

Believing most firmly that one of the purposes for which the Eastern Star exists is to “give practical effect to one of the beneficent purposes of Freemasonry, which is to provide for the welfare of the wives, daughters, mothers, widows and sisters of Master Masons,” and believing that a home would give this aid, in May, 1909, I wrote a personal letter to each chapter in this Grand Jurisdiction asking that a free-will offering be sent to the Home Fund in the month of June.

On March 10th, I received notice that the Grand Chapter of Indian Territory and the Grand Chapter of Oklahoma had merged into one Grand body to be known as the Grand Chapter of Oklahoma. I sent congratulations and best wishes from Wisconsin.

Last May I accepted an invitation to attend the nineteenth anniversary of Jewel Chapter of Antigo. In June I attended the fifteenth anniversary of Janesville Chapter. Nothing was omitted that could add to the pleasure of either of these occasions. When these large fraternal families gathered around the tables, I felt more than ever the strength of the tie that binds us making it possible for us to meet not as strangers, but as Sisters and Brothers.

On a special invitation I visited Tomah Chapter. I was greatly surprised and delighted by being made honorary member of this chapter and was presented with a beautifully engraved certificate of membership. I believe this is the first certificate of its kind ever presented in Wisconsin and I prize it among my treasures.

I had the pleasure of visiting Green Bay at their first meeting in their beautiful new Temple.

I feel that I cannot close this part of my address without mentioning the reception which my home Chapter, Rainbow No. 87, planned for me in April, 1909…In looking over the proceedings of the State of Washington for 1909, I find that the Grand Matron’s home Chapter was also Rainbow. I hope that in every way Rainbow Chapter of Washington was as loyal to its Grand Matron as Rainbow Chapter of Wisconsin has been to me, for no chapter could ever be more loyal to its own.

The Order:

I am glad to report that most Chapters have banished the Ritual from sight. This is very important as the lecture cannot be impressive unless committed. Most of the officers have made a study of the lectures so they understand the meaning and take the parts, not just repeat the words.

I am also glad that peace and harmony prevails throughout this grand Jurisdiction with only a ripple of trouble in a few chapters. I think every Grand Matron feels her inability to quiet the troubled waters. If we would only remember that our danger is not from without but from internal dissensions. Sisters and Brothers, try to grasp the deeper meaning of our Order and forgive and forget.

I recommend that the incoming Grand Matron appoint a committee to compile a book on floor work and present same at our next session, and if adopted it shall go into effect at once; that this committee consist of the Grand Matron, Associate Grand Matron and three other Sisters.

Wednesday Evening, 8 p.m.

The Grand Chapter was called to order by the Grand Matron and members of Oriental Chapter No. 16 were invited to give the Floral work, which they did in a most beautiful manner.

Report of Grand Lecturer:

I have visited 118 chapters. My expenses for one year and seven months (this was the year the session date changed) were $91.95.

Finance Committee:

That the elevator operator be allowed the sum of $5.00; Grand Organist $10.00; Emma Burke typewriting $10.00; Grand Sentinel and his assistants each $10.00; cloak room $5.00, Grand Trustees, each $10.00.
Number of members 16,573
Number of chapters 118