$ 71S 04
1907 Cr.
Nov. 6 By cash in this fund to balance $ 718 04
718 04
AGED ODD FELLOWS' FUND.
1906 Dr.
Nov. 6 To balance in this fund $ 406 89
1907
May 3 To cash received from John H. Sikes, Grand Secretary. . 100 85
Nov. 4 To cash received from John H. Sikes, Grand Secretary. . 121 71
$ 629 45
1907 Cr.
Nov. 6 By cash in this fund to balance $ 629 45
$ 629 45
GkaND TliKASUHKH.
Tuesday. ( GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS, I.O.O.F. 249
Nov. 19,1907. i
CHALMERS ORPHANS' HOME FUND.
1906 Dr.
Nov. 6 To balance in this fund (cash and bonds) $ 530 00
1907
Nov. 4 To cash received from John H. Sikes, Grand Secretary.. 15 00
$ 545 00
1907 Cr.
Nov. 6 By U. S. 3 per cent Bonds on hand $ 500 00
Nov. 6 By cash in this fund to balance 45 00
$ 545 00
SPECIAL ORPHANS' HOME FUND OF REBEKAH LODGES WORKING
IN GERMAN LANGUAGE.
1906 Dr.
Nov. 6 To balance in this fund (cash and bonds) $ 353 2S
1907
June 25 To cash received on St. Louis Gold Bond due and paid.. 500 00
Nov. 4 To cash received from John H. Sikes, Grand Secretary.. 25 45
$ S7S 73
1907 Cr.
Oct. 4 By warrant paid Pearsons Taft Land Credit Co., invest-
ment of funds $ 63153
Nov. 6 By U. S. 3 per cent Bonds on hand 240 00
Nov. 6 By cash in this fund to balance 7 20
$ 878 73
NOTE: — The Endowment Committee have deposited with your Grand
Treasurer a note secured by Farming Land Mortgage for $031.53 as proceeds
of above mentioned warrant.
EBERT FUND.
1906 Dr.
Nov. 6 To balance in this fund per last report $ 53 77
$ 53 77
1907 Cr.
Jan. 23 By warrant paid Dr. Andrew Gray $ 2 58
July 18 By warrant paid The Paine Pyrotechnic 19 90
Nov. 6 Cash in this fund to balance 31 29
$ 53 77
ORPHANS' HOME EXCURSION FUND.
1906 Dr.
Nov. 6 To balance in this fund $ 704 16
1907
Nov. 4 To cash received from John H. Sikes, Grand Secretary. . 16 50
$ 720 66
1907 Cr.
June 4 By warrant paid J.A.Lucas, Supt. excursion to Mattoon.J 300 00
Nov. 6 By cash in this fund to balance 420 6fi
$ 720 66
SPECIAL RELIEF FUND.
1906 Dr.
Nov. 6 To balance in this fund $ 58 00
1907
July 1 To cash received on $3000 U. S. 4 per cent Bonds due
and paid 3,000 00
Nov. 4 To cash received from John H. Sikes. Grand Secretary.. 90 00
$ 3,148 00
:ioO JOUli.XAL OF I'ltUCEKDlXtiS. ] Nov.^fy jyOT.
1906 Cr.
Dee. 7 By warrant paid Van Mon-land allowed liv Ciand Lodge. $ 200 00
litliT
;\lar. 1 By warrant paid W. H. Franke. special relief ))y Grand
Master 25 00
July 5 By warrant paid Fred B. Merrills. Grand Master for
Orphans' Home graduating class 150 00
July 6 By warrant paid Granite Citv Lodge No. 852 for W. H.
Franke of No. 596 .' 15 OO
Aug. 7 By warrant paid Thomas Massey for .special relief mem-
ber No. 672 100 00
Oct. 21 By warrant paid Charles W. Reed for special relief 200 00
Nov. 6 To cash in this fund to balance 2,458 OO
.$ 3,148 00
SUMMARY.
Cash in General Fund $ 40,976 81
Cash in Special Relief Fund 2,458 00
Cash in Defunct Lodges Fund. 718 04
Cash in Aged Odd Fellows Fund 629 45
Cash in Orphans' Home Fund 5,086 39
Cash in John Buehler Orphans' Home Fund 105 00
Cash in Chalmers Orphans' Home Fund 45 00
Cash in Orphans' Home Endowment Fund 800 31
Cash in Old Folks' Home Endowment Fund 1,130 98
Cash in Orphans' Home Excursion Fund 420 66
Cash in Old Folks' Home Fund 11,047 23
Cash in Ebert Fund 31 2J
Cash in Orphans' Home Fund of Rebekah Lodges Working in
German Language '. 7 20
U. S. 3 per cent Bonds in Chalmers Orphans' Home Fund 500 00
U. S. 3 per cent Bonds in John Buehler Orphans' Home Fund 500 00
LT. S. 3 per cent Bonds in Orphans' Home Fund of Rebekah Lodges
Working in German Language 240 00
Jacksonville, 111. 4 per cent Bonds in Orphans* Home Endowment
Fund 4,000 00
Peoria, 111. Park 3% per cent Bonds in Orphans' Home Endow-
ment Fund 1,000 00
Carthage, 111. 5 per cent Bonds in Orphans' Home "Endowment
Fund 2,500 00
Danville, 111., 4 per cent Bonds in Orphans' Home Endowment
Fund 1,000 00
Morrison, 111. 5 per cent Bonds in Orphans' Home Endowment
Fund 2,500 00
Jacksonville, 111. 4 per cent Bonds in Old Folks' Home Endow-
ment Fund 2,000 00
Morrison, 111. 5 per cent Bonds in Old Folks' Home Endowment
Fund 2,500 00
Peoria, 111. Park 3% per cent Bonds in Old Folks' Home Endow-
ment Pimd 2.000 00
Carthage, 111. 5 per cent Bonds in Old Folks' Home Etidowment
Fund 2,500 00
Danville. 111. 4 per cent Bonds in Old Folks' Home Endowment
Fund 2,000 00
Note Secured bv Farming Land Mortgage in Old Folks' Home
Endowment Fund 6,000 00
Note Secured by Farming Land Mortgage in Old Folks' Home
Endowment Fund 2,468 47
Note Secured bv Farming Land Mortgage in Orphans' Home
Endowment Fund 9,000 00
Note Secured by Farming Land Mortgage in Orphans* Home Fund
of Rebekah Lodges Working in German Language 631 53
Total Cash, Bonds and Notes in all Funds Nov. 6, '07 $104,796 36
Fraternally submitted.
Nashville, Illinois, November. 1907. Grand Treasurer.
'''"^^o'^?^, \- GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS, I.O.O.F. 251
ov. 19,1907. (
GRAND REPRESENTATIVES' REPORT.
To the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellotvs of the
State of Illinois:
Brothers: — The Eighty-third Annual Communication of the Sov-
ereign Grand Lodge I. O. O. F. was held in St. Paul, September 16
to 21, 1907. For the first time in the history of our Order a brother
from the Jurisdiction of Illinois presided as Grand Sire. Never was
there held a more harmonious or a more business-like session. Never
did the Sovereign Grand Lodge meet in a city or jurisdiction more
loyal to Odd Fellowship than St. Paul and Minnesota. Nothing had
been left undone that would in any way add to the pleasure or com-
fort of the members of the Sovereign Grand Lodge and the thousands
of visitors. On the Sunday preceding the session the officers of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge and the Grand Representatives with their
wives attended divine services at the People's Church, Rev. Samuel G.
Smith, the Pastor, delivering a most able address, and it was thor-
oughly enjoyed by all present.
On the morning of the 16th, just prior to the opening of the
session, a welcome address was delivered in behalf of the Governor.
Addresses of welcome were also delivered by the Mayor, the Grand
Master, the Grand Patriarch, and the President of the Rebekah Assem-
bly. Grand Sire Edwin Stapleton Conway responded in a most master-
ful and wonderfully appropriate address. He spoke as follows: —
"It is an honor that I. on behalf of the Order of Odd Fellows,
deeply appreciate, to be given the opportunity to respond to so many
sincere and inspiring sentiments of good will that have been uttered
here this morning. Surely it is good for the souls of men to have the
respect and esteem of their fellows.
"It is an additional pleasure that so many of the distinguished
sons of Minnesota join the citizens of this lusty metropolis of the
Northwest in making this meeting of the Sovereign Grand Lodge a
memorable one. Civic influence and civic support can give their recog-
nition to no more worthy cause than that which our organization
symbolizes.
"To me, personally, it is an especial gratification to represent
the Order on this occasion and in these environments. You will the
better appreciate my words when I say that it was in Lake City,
Minnesota, that I was Initiated into the Order; when you know that
JOUUXAL OF PUOCEKDINGS. -j Nov.^^g'i^^.
your glorious State was really my cradle as an Odd Fellow. During
all my progress since then, to the highest place in the gift of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge, I have never forgotten the little town in
Wabasha County, where, as an Odd Fellow, I first saw the light of
day and became acquainted with the beneficent principles and lofty
aspirations of the Order.
"I was sure that all good citizens are interested in every force that
tends to the moral uplift of the community, that inspires the individual
with higher ideals and the determination to work out for himself a
larger usefulness as a member of society. So, fully believing this, I
feel that you will be interested in knowing that never in the history
of the Organization has more been accomplished in the direction of
enlarging its membership than during the year 1906. The principles
of our Order stand for distinct achievements. They are a crystalliza-
tion of the highest type of human endeavor in the direction of human-
ity's betterment. When I say that our membership has largely increas-
ed, the statement carries with it the implication that the noble work
that Odd Fellows performs finds a greatly extended field of helpful-
ness.
"I v/ill not weary you with statistics. The records are eloquent
in their own behalf. To them I refer with justifiable pride as the
climax of a twelve-month of well directed effort, guided by a profound
compassion for the weal and the woe of our fellowmen.
"The Order of Odd Fellows, let me say to you, brothers and
sisters, is a type of that democratic spirit that lies at the foundation
of civilization. It is democratic from center to circumference; from
root to apex, a reflex of the fraternal zeal that achieves grand results.
While it magnifies the individual, recognizing in him the force that
moves the mass — the complex social fabric — it yet regards the in-
dividual as subservient to other phases of life that must be attained
before we can reach a perfect plane of existence. One of these is the
ultimate happiness of others; the other the symmetrical development
of human character.
"This qliestion of character is one of the most important with
which we have to deal. It is in a large measure, it ought to be in a
full measure, the motive power of the individual. Character transforms
the inefficient individual unit into one of the foundation stones, at least
one of the important factors, in the building up of society. If the
man has not character, he is merely a tinkling cymbal. Character fills
up the cracks and crannies of the individual career and rounds it out
to a high degree of worthiness. Here is where the revivifying work of
Odd Fellowship makes itself felt. Character is the basis of our Order.
Everything is measured by that gauge. We are taught that character
adds to the dignity of life, and not clothes, not money, not landed pos-
sessions. What is wealth without character? Is wealth without char-
Nov^^9^1967 [ GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS, I.O.O.F. .253
acter any more enjoyable than wealth without health. How bright and
cheerful and ennobling can life be made by the man who lacks material
wealth but is rich in moral worth. Can you compare the two? Can
you compel your mind to accept as final the statement that earthly
riches are above character? No, my brothers and sisters, for there is in
every man's intellect an innate belief, an inborn appreciation, of the
fact that character is the pearl of great price, and that to possess it is
the surest title to contentment and happiness.
"It is character that invests the individual in all situations in
life with a charm that is beyond the power of analysis. It is char-
acter that envelopes in a singular dignity the man or the woman
who is obliged to work in order to live; to whom grim necessity is an
uncompromising tyrant. The worker who has character imparts to
every task that he or she may undertake, this same dignity. It is
likewise character that gives labor its peculiar dignity, and it must
ever be borne in mind that all labor that is essential to our well-being
is alike honorable. "We all know that labor is essential to the well-
being of society; absolutely essential. None of our daily tasks would
be undertaken unless there were specific demands for specific works.
No men would produce an article for the market for which there were
no purchasers; nor should any man or woman engage in an occupa-
tion as a means of livelihood, for which there is no remuneration. The
fact that there is remuneration is ample evidence that some one
desires such services.
"If the satisfying of the varied legitimate human wants is essen-
tial, as every one will quickly admit, then the toil that brings about
such satisfaction must be honorable. There is no such thing as
dishonorable labor, because the fundamental principle of all labor is
the filling of some particular need; which makes labor a necessity, and
therefore legitimate and of a certain value. The Order of Odd Fellows
insists upon this view of an important economic question, and sin-
cerely endeavors to inculcate this principle into the mind of every
one of its members.
"The women who cook our meals, who aid in keeping our homes
clean and orderly, and, therefore, sightly; who minister to our comfort
in every way, provided that they have character, are relatively as
important factors in society as the dentist who crowns a bad tooth,
the lawyer who protects one's rights, the doctor who cures the patient
of a bodily ill, and the theologian who by his appeals and admonitions
tries to keep us in the straight and narrow path that leads to ulti-
mate salvation. Each ministers to some need in the life of the in-
dividual; each strives to satisfy it to the best of his or her ability.
The fact that this service is performed well, so that the need is well
satisfied, and that healthful conditions are secured, is abundant evi-
dence that the worker is entitled to our respect and our considera-
254 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. ] N^v^^lf^go?
tion. I am not making a special plea for the domestics in our homes,
but am merely attempting to apply to you the principles of Odd Fellow-
ship in a practical way. The domestic is the one that oftenest feels
the sting of disregard, and sometimes, I am sorry to say, of actual
reproach; so I have chosen her as an example that will appeal to us
with sympathy and force.
"There are some occupations that are called menial, but they
are not so. All labor that is legitimate is, by a parity of reasoning,
important and honorable. The men who may clean our cess-pools,
who may see that our sewerage system is in good condition; who may
remove the decaying vegetable matter and offal from our doors, are
following a legitimate calling, and therefore are engaged in honor-
able labor, no matter what the scale of remuneration may be. Sup-
pose that our domestics, suppose that the men who clean our sewers,
the scavengers, should be taken from us suddenly, pray what would
we do? The work would have to be performed by ourselves, otherwise
we should suffer. And if we were called upon to do it ourselves, even
if we were to protest vigorously, would we be likely to look upon it
as dishonorable?
"True character gives the man an enviable individuality and digni-
fies his calling, no matter what it may be. Manhood is surely not
based on a vocation but on the manner of moral living. 'The rank is
but the guinea's stamp; the man's the gold for a' that,' as the poet
Burns, with his sturdy thought, expressed precisely the same senti-
ment.
"The foundation stones of a nation are the character of the men
and the women who make up its society. Let the individual worker
be lacking in fiber; let the individual mother be weak; let there be a
want of character, generally, on the part of rich and poor; a deficiency
in the proper sense and appreciation of moral stamina, which is merely
another term for character, and what would become of the government
in time of war? "What could it accomplish in the time of peace? If
the individual citizen lacks backbone, moral character, can the gov-
ernment possess it? We may be the richest â– country in the world;
we may claim a greater number of millionaires than any other nation
under the sun, but if our men and our women have not character,
what more is their life than sounding brass? Wealth surely is desir-
able, knowledge and culture more desirable; but, believe me, these
possessions are merely secondary. Not one can take the place of
character in the individual.
"I want to emphasize this view of the value of character in the
individual life by maintaining that no Odd Fellow can be true to the
principles and the teachings of our Order unless he follows out. to
its fullest fruition, the thought that character is the possession most
Nov.^^sIlMT !' GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS^ I.O.O.F. 255
to be prized. Every Odd Fellow should measure himself and his
associates by that standard. Not what we may have; not what we
may know, but the character of the individual should be the true
proportions by which the individual is to be judged. At the bottom of
nearly every man's heart lies that which is both sound and sane. How
wise in the individual man to use his mental and his moral strength
to bring these traits to the surface, where they may be seen and their
cheering influence be felt by all.
"Odd Fellowship, brothers and sisters, represents distinct ideals;
ideals that are essential to the well-being and the happiness of the
world. The proper development and the careful application of these
ideals must come if the spear is to be beaten into a pruning hook and
the sword into a ploughshare. Our grand old Order stands for the
rights of others. Who can deny that the future of humanity must
rest upon the emphatic enforcement of this principle; that the com-
plete observance of the rights of others is the universal rock of sal-
vation. There is no other force that can accomplish so much along
that line as the inherent moral force of our own Order. We are
opposed to the hollow distinctions of Society, that are shadowy and
immaterial. We are opposed to the artificially established social castes,
because we believe that all men should be given equal respect so long as
their conduct entitles them to such respect. Caste and the true demo-
cratic spirit can no more assimilate than oil and water. They are oppos-
ing forces, or at least types of opposing forces; and where two opposing
forces come in conflict, one must give way to the other. In our Order,
the democratic spirit, the intense sympathy for the man in all the
varying conditions of life, is the dominant principle, the impelling
power that shapes all our actions and all our hopes, and, indeed, all
our realizations.
"Faith, hope, charity, friendship, love, truth; these are the shib-
boleths of our Order. What a world of significance is in each word!
These are the concrete foundation upon which we build; a foundation
as solid as the rock of ages, the Fatherhood of God; the brotherhood
of man. Can any thought be more uplifting than that which is in-
spired as we contemplate the aim and the actual achievements of
Odd Fellowship? If we understand these principles as they ought
to be understood, their value will be quickly appreciated. If we
apply them in the affairs of our daily life, they will prove to be of
untold value. They are tangible, palpable. Although merely abstract
qualities, they can be measured by practical effects. Our Order seeks
to make men and women of strong, virile character, ready and will-
ing to minister to the wants of the afflicted, to shed light into dark-
ened souls, to bring joy into the places where misery reigns. Can
there be a more lofty work, a more imposing mission?
25G JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. â– } nov^\^19()7
"Let me say to you, brothers and sisters, that a work of this
kind is almost divine. To guide and develop manhood and woman-
hood to its highest purpose; to fill them with sympathy and love for
their fellows; to establish high ideals in their souls; to make them
heroes In the warfare of life, — this is a purpose so exalted that it
reaches to the very gates of Heaven. Yet that is what Odd Fellow-
ship does; that is what it stands for; that is our chief claim upon the
favor of humankind. And you will grant with me that our Order has
lived up to its professions with an intelligence, a loyalty and a per-
sistency that have won for it, I am sure, the confidence and the admira-
tion of every right thinking man and every right thinking woman in
the civilized universe."
The following officers were present:
E. S. Conway Grand Sire
John L. Nolen Deputy Grand Sire
John B. Goodwin Grand Secretary, Past Grand Sire
M. Richards Muckle Grand Treasurer
J. M. Baker Grand Chaplain
Edwin L. Pilsbury Grand Marshal
Will L. Steidley Grand Guardian
W. L. Brown Grand Messenger
The following Past Grand Sires were present:
Milton J. Durham Kentucky
John C. Underwood Kentucky
Charles M. Busbee North Carolina
CI. T. Campbell Ontario
Fred Carleton Texas
Alfred S. Pinkerton Massachusetts
A. C. Cable Ohio
The following appointments were made by the Grand Sire:
Official Reporter — J. B. King, P. G. Rep., of Ontario.
Assistant Grand Messenger — John Craig, P. G. Rep., of Maritime
Provinces.
Assistant Grand Guardian — E. H. Kinney, P. G. Rep., of Illinois.
The following appointments were made by the Grand Secretary:
Journal Clerk— W. H. Leedy, G. Sec, P. G. Rep., of Indiana.
Reading Clerk — Louis F. Hart, G. Sec, P. G. Rep., of Washington.
In the appointment of committees by the Grand Sire, Illinois re-
ceived the following recognition: J. A. Lucas, Committee on Rebekah;
William R. Humphrey, Committee on Finance and Special Committee
of fifteen to examine the new subordinate lodge ritual; Theodore Finn,
Committee on Homes and Committee on Patriarchs Militant; Chester
M. Turner, Committee on Appeals.
^^^^-^^^.^^-^^^^^^
Graxi) Sikk.
Nov.^^g.lOT. f GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS^ I.O.O.F. 257
THE GRAND SIRE'S REPORT.
"To The Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows:
Officers and Representatives: It is with much pleasure and
satisfaction that I am able, as Grand Sire, to state that our Order
was never more prosperous and harmonious than at the present time.
At the beginning of my term of office I wrote a letter to each Grand
Master, each Grand Patriarch, and to every District Deputy Grand
Sire, and to the Grand Sires of Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Aus-
tralasia, and Sweden, with a view to bringing our Order into closer
relation the world over. I requested that each of these brothers write
me as often as convenient, reporting as to the work of the Order. Also
advised that an effort be put forth to increase the membership in the
subordinate and Rebekah branches 10 per cent, and in the Encamp-
ment branch 15 per cent. The co-operation of all these executive
officers of subordinate Grand Bodies, as well as the District Deputy
Grand Sires, has been satisfactory. It has enabled me to know the
situation in every Grand Jurisdiction and of the lodges and encamp-
ments under the immediate jurisdiction of The Sovereign Grand Lodge.
In this connection I wish to quote from a few of the letters I have
received.
Grand Sire Paul Gerlach, of the Grand Lodge of the German
Empire, in his first letter, spoke of the excellent work in that Juris-
diction and that the membership there now numbers about 6,000. In
another letter he says: "The systematic procedure you explained with
respect to the enlistment of new members into our Order is likewise
adhered to in our Jurisdiction. It is a rule that in every session of a
lodge the Noble Grand asks its members, 'Whether one of them wishes
to propose a friend to become a member of the lodge.' We do not
fail to discover ways by dint of which any friend of a brother may
gain a certain interest to become associated with our Order.
"Our ideas regarding the introduction of young men into our Order
corroborates fully with your views; I myself do not neglect any suit-
able opportunity to recommend such a system. It cannot, however, be
denied that a powerful difference prevails between America and Ger-
many regarding the question which age might be more convenient to
look after. While in America the young man becomes independent at
21 years of age, this eventually takes place in Germany at 25 years.
This forms one of the reasons that those who have not attained the
25th year are not entitled to vote. Young people below this age will
seldom become members, although our laws prescribe 21 years the
limit of age, and exceptions to this rule occur often."
Grand Sire Paul Gerlach, of Germany, under date of August 4,
1907, also writes: "It will be surprising to you that your kind letter
258 JOURNAL OF PEOCEEDINGS, ] Nova9^19d7.
of April 2, 1907, did not receive any answer until now. The reasons
are of a different kind. First of all I wished to attend the session of
the Grand Lodge of the German Empire, which took place from the
17th to the 22d of June, at Dresden. I then undertook a trip to