Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1892 — AMONG THE BROTHERHOODS. [ARTICLE]

AMONG THE BROTHERHOODS.

What the Various Fraternal Societies are Doing. THE GRAND ARMY. The twenty-sixth.national encampment of the G. A. it., recently held in Washington, is the all-absorbing theme among veterans. There must be now about half a million members in this organization. One of its marked features is its steady growth year after year, the additions of new comrades surpassing the deaths, until in these days it seems to be more flourishing than ever, although twenty-seven years have passed since the close of the war. When, on the 6th of April, 1866, Dr. B. F. Stephenson, who had been surgeon of the Fourteenth Illinois, founded the first Grand Army post of a dozen members at Decatur, in that State, he could hardly have foreseen its extraordinary future; and although at his death in 1871 it was a growing institution it had not more than 30,000 or or 40,000 members. But last year at Detroit the records showed an aggregate of 493,067 comrades belonging to 7,409 posts. The sum expended in charity for the year was put down at $333,700, and probably the total relief funds since the foundation of the Grand Army would exceed $2,500,000. There is a collateral body known as the Woman’s Relief Corps, which showed last year a membership of 77,779. The various figures denoting the growth of the organization will very likely show gains this year as hitherto. The Grand Army derives great strength from the feeling of comradeship and from the common sympathy of those that have risked their lives in the same patriotic cause. Yet it could hardly have had a success so conspicuous without a corresponding enthusiasm for the veterans on the part of the community. This sentiment apparently does not weaken with the lapse of years, but continues to maintain in various ways the success of the annual encampments.

O. M. A. WORKMKN. This organization has no connection with any of the trade unions. It represents in its membership all branches of industry and the learned professions. It is non-political and non-sectarian, with principles broad enough to embrace all parties save Anarchists, Socialists and Communists. It has for its objects “the raising of a sick and funeral fund, a fund for the help of the widows and orphans of its deceased members, to assist each other in business and to aid members who have become incapable of following their usual avocations in procuring situations suitable to their afflictions.” It has an endowment fund that calls for light assessments and on a basis that has stood the test of years. KNIGIITS OF PYTHIAS. There are 4,247 lodges in the order. The average lodge memberslfip in the order is 72. The total membership of the K. of P. is close to 400,009. The total expenditure of the order in 1891 was $2,511,133. Never in the history of the order has there been such an interest taken in the uniform rank. New divisions and brigades are being organized wherever the Pythian colors float. And it is safe to say that this branch of the order will number 50,000 before another year closes. MASONIC. Richmond has four Masonic halls. California has over 16.000 members. Over 10,000 Masons were buried last year. There are 1,300 Knights Templar in Ireland. Canada has a membership of nearly 21,000. It is“estimated that the annual income of the order is fully $25,000,000. New Orleans has a new Masonic temple.

There are over l"), 000 Masonic lodges in existence. The Grand Lodge of Canada met at Ontario the past week. Detroit is to have a new temple. It will cost over $300,000. ODD FELLOWS. Georgia will have a new Odd Fellows’ home in.the near future. American Rebekah'Lodge, No. 188, of Chicago is furnishing a ten bed dormitory in the Orphans’ Home. A committee of investigation cannot lawfully report upon a candidate upon the night of its appointment. A candidate cannot be lawfully initiated on the night of his election. Not more than one degree can be law fully conferred upon a brother upon the same evening. Candidates cannot be initiated as non« beneficial members.