Twenty-First Annual Meeting of The Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin Held in Milwaukee October 4 and 5, 1911

“Once more have we assembled here to take note of a year’s progress, to legislate wisely for the best interests of our Order, to receive instructions of lasting benefit and to weld the bonds of fraternal friendship. We cannot value too highly the opportunity of aiding in this work; and surrounded, as we are, by the ennobling environment instilled by the heroines of our Order, we should be in a receptive mood to glean a rich harvest from this reunion.”

Grand Representative Welcome:

“As representatives of the Grand Jurisdictions of this land and beyond the seas, your attendance evidences the continuing expansion of our beloved Order and inspires us with renewed endeavor to be worthy of its high calling and purpose as one of the uplifting agencies of this day and generation.”

Present at the Grand Chapter were Sister Adency Irons, the first Grand Matron of Wisconsin (who had attended every grand session) and Brother Wm. F. Lawrence, first Grand Patron:

Grand Matron, Grand Patron, in a few short hours you will join our ranks. We are waiting to receive you with open arms and loving hearts and a glad and hearty welcome.

Sisters and Brothers, let us love one another. Let us be charitable to each other’s failings and shortcomings, for none of us are perfect, no, not one. There is bad in the best of us, and good in the worst of us. At this time of rejoicing we would not forget the absent ones. We miss them and wish they were with us. Though lost to sight, they are to memory dear.

We love new friends, but keep the old
Those are silver, these are gold.
New made friendships, like new wine
Age will mellow and refine.

Friendships that have stood the test
Of time and change are surely best.
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray;
Friendship never knows decay.

We do not wish to be laid on the shelf so long as we can make ourselves useful even in small ways:

I might not be needed, yet I might.
I’ll let my heart be just in sight.

A smile so small as mine, might be
precisely their necessity.

Grand Matron:

My official visits to subordinate chapters have been very pleasant. I found the chapters visited all in a prosperous condition and taking great interest in the work.

One of the most enjoyable of events was the reception given me shortly after my election as Grand Matron by my own home chapter, Loyalty No. 118. The love and loyal support manifested on this occasion will remain ever dear to me in memory.

The thirteenth tri-ennial session of the General Grand Chapter was held in Jacksonville, Florida, November 8th, 9th and 10th, 1910. There are 46 Grand Chapters having jurisdiction over 6,109 subordinate chapters representing a membership of 487,537. This General Grand Chapter was presided over by our dear Sister Ella S. Washburn (from Wisconsin).

Grand Patron:

A vote of thanks should be sent to the Grand Master of the F&AM of Wisconsin for his kindness in granting dispensations to the new chapters of the OES to meet in lodge rooms.

It is desirable that every subordinate chapter in Wisconsin should adopt a uniform code of by-laws as far as possible.

We should have a school of instruction, presided over by the Grand Matron, open to all members and instructed by the Grand Lecturer.

During my term of office I have traveled over 5,000 miles; received over 700 letters, postals and greetings and have sent out over 800 letters, postals and greetings. I have answered all communications as promptly as possible using the telephone and telegraph.

Finally, my sisters and Brothers, it is not by bringing aspirants to the Altar that the best work is done. It is the simple and apparently slight outward indications of that love which is Divine Commandment. The pleasant smile, the hearty handshake, the sorrowing sympathy in distress, the real rejoicing in each other’s joy which brings us the greatest of rewards. Enlarge the knowledge of the “Star” by example; show to the world that in loving all humanity, a holy bond of fraternity exists among the Sisters and Brothers, and that the “Golden Chain” of which we are the individual links is not a mere cobweb, to be wafted away on the lightest zephyr, but a living tie, which is strengthened more and more as the days roll on, in the hearts of all who have trod the Labyrinth of the Eastern Star in spirit and in truth.

Grand Lecturer:

I visited 86 Chapters individually and inspected the work in all its parts. I found the work in general in good condition.

I have a few suggestions: be punctual as to the time of opening your chapter; under good of the order read a portion from the Constitution and Laws occasionally and lastly promote sociability.

Home Fund:

The balance is $9,322.82. while our increase during the year has been $1,545.95 and shows a slow but steady advancement toward an ultimate end, to-wit, a Home, yet in order to permit the Association to erect and maintain a Home such as would be adequate for the demands made upon it, we should have a least a fund of $100,000. At the increase that we are making yearly to the fund, in forty years we will be able to build and maintain a Home. We need the Home in the near future, if not at once. During the year we have had directly and indirectly several applications for entrance to the Masonic Home (and they have no vacancies). (She recommended $1 per year per member be assessed).

Wednesday Evening, 8 p.m.

The Past Matrons of Milwaukee Chapter No. 2 exemplified the Ritualistic work in a most correct and pleasing manner. The MW Grand Matron gave a very interesting talk telling of her visits to the chapters in British Columbia and Alaska. A song by Miss Amelia Sinz.

184 chapters
17,575 members