Proceedings of the Twenty-Ninth Annual Session of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of the State of Wisconsin Scottish Rite Cathedral

The Twenty-ninth annual session convened in the auditorium of the Scottish rite Cathedral on the seventh day of October 1919 at two o’clock.

The Grand Sentinel, Brother John B. Cromwell, was unable to be present. Brother W. A. Ratsch was appointed to act in that capacity.

The Grand Marshal escorted by Brothers Edgar Ross and Henry Smith, representing the Army and Navy brought the flag into the Chapter Room and all joined in singing “The Star Spangled Banner”. Following the placing of the flag the pledge of allegiance was given.

Sister Ella Lines Chapin, Most Worthy Grand Matron requested that Sister Helen Budd Taylor be installed as Worthy Grand Chaplain at the Wisconsin Grand Chapter. She was then installed by Sister Ella S. Washburn, PMWGM and presented with a beautiful bouquet of roses.

Second Day, Wednesday morning, October 8, 1919, 9:30 a.m.

Worthy Grand Matron:

When last we met the dark storm cloud of war hung like a pall over this nation. Thousands of our beloved members were engaged in the most terrible war the world has ever known. They gave freely of their lives that liberty and democracy should survive autocracy for all time to come. Countless numbers of our Sisters dedicated their lives to the service of humanity on the altars of the Red Cross Society, and all other branches of war relief work. Our hearts were all bound together by a golden chain of sympathy and fraternal love. Ours was a common cause coming out of a common danger threatening the destinies of all civilization—our Order had had a large part in helping to bring peace on earth to all nations.

In accordance with the decision of the Grand Chapter, it was my privilege and pleasure to attend the Sixteenth Triennial Session of the General Grand Chapter, which convened in Seattle, Washington, July 26th, 1919.

On Monday, July 21st, our Order was honored in having our Most Worthy Grand Matron, Sister Emma C. Ocobock, christen the S. S. Elkridge. It was a beautiful sight when the great ship slid off into the water with the Stars and Stripes waving to the breeze from the flag staff and the bow of the boat decorated with yards of ribbon the color of our Order. An inspiring number on the program was the singing of “Star of the East” by a quartette composed of shipbuilders who were members of the Order.

There are 7,998 Chapters with 859,862 members which compose 51 Grand Chapters, 37 Subordinate Chapters under the direct supervision of the General Grand Chapter with 3,312 members, 756 Chapters in New York State and Scotland with a membership of 106,901, making the total number of chapters 8,791 with a total membership of 970,075 members.

The Sunday following the close of the session we were treated to a beautiful ride up the wonderful Mount Tacoma, or Mount Rainer, as Seattle calls it.

Correspondence:

At the time of this report I have written 1,246 letters not including circular letters. I have sent holiday greetings to all subordinate chapters, past and present grand officers, and Grand Matrons of sister Grand Jurisdictions.

A circular letter was then read from Herbert Hoover setting aside Sunday, December 1 and the week following for Americans to work together to collect food for the populations of Belgium and France, and people of Southern Europe.

On account of the epidemic of influenza many chapters were closed and were unable to hold their annual election on time. A circular letter was sent out to all affected chapters granting special dispensation to hold elections at the next regular meeting after influenza ban has been raised.

It was my great privilege to visit the Grand Chapter of Minnesota. I attended the 25th anniversary parties of the Chapters at Stoughton and Waukesha.

Recommendations:

That the incoming Grand Matron be authorized to appoint a committee to codify and group under appropriate heads all of the laws of the Order written, amended and approved, to and including 1919. Approved

My work is done, how well only the Master knows. One never sees the fruit of all the seeds he sows. It may have been my part to patiently turn the sod, another plants, another waters, but the increase comes from God.

Grand Patron:

It has been my pleasure to have granted dispensations to Wauwatosa Chapter, Wauwatosa. A petition was received December 31, 1918 signed by 30 members of the order to organize a chapter. The chapter was instituted January 16, 1919.

Information requesting the procedure of forming new chapters was received from Medford and Kewaunee.

A dinner and reception was held by Edgerton No. 63 on November 26, 1918 to honor our Grand Matron. At the meeting the members of her chapter conferred upon me an honorary membership.

My home chapter, Byron Kilbourn No. 195, tendered a reception and dinner on behalf of the Grand Officers and myself on January 14th 1919.

He congratulates Sister Mamie Redfern of Vega Chapter whose presence is always an inspiration to all by rendering her addresses and her beautiful poetry alluding to the floral lectures appertaining to the characters representing our central star.

Grand Lecturer:

Thirty conventions were held representing 156 chapters. I also personally inspected six chapters and instructed the six chapters under dispensation.

On the subject of conventions there is much that may be said both for and against:

These gatherings should be called schools of instruction and carried on as such. We gather that the work of the Eastern Star in all its forms may be exemplified under instruction. We find too often that it is more of a social function than a business meeting. At the convention one chapter exemplified the opening, another the ballot, another initiation, etc. All may be well done, but the inspecting officer is not sure whether the chapter doing each part does any other part right or not nor the circumstances under which the various chapters work in their own hall.

Number of Chapters 213
Number of members 27,230