Twenty-Second Annual Session of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin Held in Milwaukee October 2 and 3, 1912

The Twenty-second annual session of the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin convened in the Masonic Building at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 1912.

Address of Welcome:

Between the time of our last happy meeting and the present one the shadows have marked off twelve busy months on the dial plate of time – a whole round year with its joys for all of us and its sorrows for some of us, but whatever the year may have held of happiness or sadness all is forgotten now in the pleasure of greeting old friends and of welcoming new ones.

We extend most cordial greetings to those of you who were instrumental in organizing this Grand Body twenty two years ago.

Response:

These are bright, happy greetings, but we all know there is no standing still in life’s great battle, so this session will soon be a memory. May it be to each a sweet, pleasant memory that nothing can take away, but one that will dwell amidst the happy scenes of our past.

“For the thing that goes the farthest toward making life worth while
that costs the least and does the most is just a pleasant smile.
The smile that bubbles from a heart that loves its fellowmen
Will drive away the cold of gloom and coax the sun again
It’s full of worth and goodness, too, with manly kindness bent
It’s worth a million dollars and doesn’t cost a cent.”

Grand Matron:

“And yet I would give, ere the moment has fled,
A sigh for the absent, a tear for the dead.
There’s not one of them all, where ere he may rove
In the shadows of earth, or the glories above.
In the home of his birth or in lands far away,
But comes back to be kindly remembered today.”

Official Acts:

On my return from Grand Chapter, the morning of October 7, 1911, word reached me of the calamity that had befallen the city of Black River Falls. Nearly the whole city had been swept away by flood and many people rendered homeless. (a letter was sent out asking for aid and explaining the Masons would be contributing also).

I am pleased to say that the Sisters and Brothers of Wisconsin responded generously to the call for aid and a large sum was forwarded to the Grand Secretary to relieve immediate distress among the members.

Floor Work:

At the last session of this Grand Chapter, the incoming Grand Matron was requested to appoint a committee of three, one of whom was to be the Grand Lecturer, to formulate and present at the next session of the Grand Chapter a report containing all the necessary floor work which, if adopted, would be uniformly observed by all subordinate chapters within this Grand Jurisdiction….At a later hour, Brother Hinsey and a corps of officers will exemplify this work, and I trust it will meet with your approval.

Visitations:

I have visited twenty six chapters and witnessed the ritualistic work in nearly all of them. I found some irregularities, but as a general rule the chapters are all doing excellent work.

One of the most enjoyable gatherings was a reception given in my honor by my own Chapter, Janesville Chapter No. 69 on my return home last year as Grand Matron. I wish to thank my own home chapter for all the kind thoughts and courtesies extended to me.

Grand Patron:

Jan. 16, 1912, the application of thirteen members, to form a new Chapter in Milwaukee, to be known as Golden Rule Chapter was received. The chapter was instituted Feb. 12, 1912. Six new members were reported added on the night of institution.

Recommendation:

That in the ceremony of initiation at the time the candidate is being conducted through the labyrinth to the altar for obligation, the conductress addressing the candidate give the first paragraph of the Secret Work so that all present may hear. This appears to be the only part of the Secret Work which is not thus given and hence this suggestion.

Grand Secretary:

Generous response to Black River Falls flood relief: $1,714.50 contributed besides boxes of clothing and bedding.

Grand Lecturer:

The train service in the winter was so uncertain it greatly hindered my work. I visited 80 chapters individually and inspected the work in all its parts. I find each year a marked improvement in the general work of the chapters. I note with pleasure the improvements in many of the chapter rooms in the way of furnishings.

A resolution was adopted to change the Home per capita from 5 cents to 10 cents. The floor work committee report was also adopted.

192 Chapters
18,467 members