Proceedings of the Fortieth Annual Session of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin Scottish Rite Cathedral Milwaukee, Wisconsin October 7th, 8th and 9th, 1930

Tuesday, October 6th, 1930, 1:30 p.m.

Organ Recital, Florence Marcell, Grand Organist
Opening Solo – “Open the Gates of the Temple” by Harry Hauge of Wauwatosa.

Worthy Matrons and Worthy Patrons of Milwaukee County entered from the East two by two and as they were introduced took their places at the respective officers’ stations on the floor. Worthy Grand Patron James Taylor instructed the Associate Grand Conductress, Sister Ada Brown, to invite the Worthy Grand Matron and other Grand Officers to enter the Chapter room. As each Grand Officer took her station, the escorting Worthy Matron presented her respective Grand Officer with a wrist corsage. The escorts then formed a double line back of Esther’s chair, Matrons standing in front of the Patrons, accorded the Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron the Grand Honors. Brother Harry Hauge sang “Another Year is Dawning”, and the escorting Matrons and Patrons retired.

Worthy Grand Matron:

“Yesterday is now a part of forever
beyond in a sheaf which God holds tight,
with its good days, its bad days, its sad days, its glad days
which never more shall visit us
with full bloom or full blight
with their fullness of sunshine or sorrowful night.”

On May 12th it was my privilege to attend the Grand Chapter of Minnesota and my name appeared on the program for the response to the welcome of the distinguished guests.

On November 13th I was happy to attend the party at Appleton given by Fidelity Chapter for their own Brother James Wagg, Associate Grand Patron. I assure you it was a most enjoyable evening.

November 14th Oriental Chapter at Oshkosh gave a party for their own Jimmie – our Worthy Grand Patron – and everything was done for the comfort and pleasure of all.

The delightful party given by Janesville Chapter on May 28th for the Worthy Grand Matron and their own Jennie Dower, Grand Lecturer, was a “never-to-be-forgotten” affair. I shall ere be grateful to them. Nearly all the Grand Officers were present at these three parties.

(The Worthy Grand Matron and Grand Lecturer want to visit every chapter after the new officers had been installed). The great problem then confronting us was to devise some plan whereby the 272 chapters could be visited between the 16th of January and the 30th of June.

The only solution to the problem seemed to be in grouping the chapters in two or three chapters for one inspection, each chapter to exemplify a part of the work.

I have inspected 146 chapters, 55 were inspected singly, 44 in groups of two, 24 in groups of three, 16 in groups of four, and one night I had a group of five. In addition, I made 19 social visits, had two installations, making a total of 167 visits.

While I would have greatly enjoyed meeting all the Sisters and Brothers in their own chapter rooms, I feel that these meetings were wonderfully inspiring, the work was beautifully given, the attendance splendid, and in every way the indications were that these group inspections were a real success. The getting together seemed to add inspiration and encouragement and resulted in a general spirit of cooperation and helpfulness for all.

I had the honor and pleasure of installing the officers in the following chapter: Rainbow, Wisconsin Rapids, January 8th and Viroqua, January 14th.

I thank the subordinate chapters for their liberal contributions to the Home during my year as Worthy Grand Matron.

Recommendations: We all know that all eyes should be kept on the flag during its presentation. I would recommend that when the flag is brought to the altar the four Star Points – Adah, Ruth, Martha and Electa – turn in their stations and face the altar so that they may have their eyes on the flag. Approved.

Worthy Grand Patron

To my own chapter, Oriental No. 16, all of the sacrifices made in fulfilling the duties of the Grand Chapter office with which I have been honored are forgotten when I see the pleasure and joy radiating from your faces, and I assure you that all of my efforts have been exerted for the good of our wonderful Order and the honor of Oriental Chapter and not for the gratification of any personal ambition or desire.

Tuesday Evening, 6 p.m.

All gathered in the dining room of the Scottish Rite Cathedral for the annual banquet. Assembly singing was led by Brother Alwin Hansen of Kenosha Chapter No. 92. An informal reception followed and at 8 p.m. the Worthy Grand Matron instructed the Grand Marshal to call the Grand Chapter from refreshment to labor.

A very splendid exhibition drill was given by Monona chapter drill team of Madison. This team showed its skill through the many intricate movements and the changing from the military step to that of folk dancing. Their uniforms of white satin with capes faced with the respective colors of the five points of our Eastern Star were very effective.

Exemplification of the Opening, Closing, Business session, Flag presentation, introduction of visitors, examination of a visitor was given by Beaver Dam. This chapter did very creditable work.

The draping of a charter was exemplified and a solo was sung by Sister Sayles, “One Sweetly Solemn thought,” at the altar just before the draping of the chapter made this ceremony very impressive.

Grand Lecturer:

Where chapters were near together we formed groups; having two or more chapters meet and divide the work, the entertaining chapter to open and close, have the presentation of the flag and introduction of distinguished guests, read a set of minutes. If there were three chapters present, one would exemplify the ballot and the examination of a visitor, and a third chapter would do the initiatory work. We have had wonderful success with these meetings.

“In after years my memory will turn
to these bright days, and in my heart will burn
a grateful love, and as my pathway trends
adown the years, I’ll think of you, my friends.”

Number of Members 54,353
Number of chapters 272, one under dispensation.

This old world we’re living in is mighty hard to beat.
With every rose you get a thorn – but ain’t the roses sweet?