Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Illinois - University Library

JOURNAL OF THE Uov.^f.WS.
a renewed interest in Odd Fellowship. I believe we are all to be congratulated
upon the state of the Order, as found at the close of this
year. It is true, not manj^ new Subordinate Lodges have been instituted,
for the reason that the territory for iiew Lodges in the State
is very limited, owing to the fact that Lodges have been organized in
almost every city or village of importance in the State of Illinois.
Our growth in the future must, of necessity, be in the Lodges that
have already been chartered. The brotherhood, for several years, has
been turning its attention from the establishing of Lodges in the State
to the carrying out of the great principles of our Order, by establishing
Homes for the Orphans and the aged and indigent Odd Fellows,
their wives, and Daughters of Rebekah. The result of the work accomplished
along this line will be made apparent by the reports of the
trustees of these institutions.
No means is at the disposal of the Grand Master for the purpose
of building up the Order. It was for this reason, and with a hope of
enthusing the membership, that the Grand Master established the Roll
of Honor, to be printed in the Grand Lodge report.
Harmony prevails throughout the jurisdiction, and a united effort
has been made all along the line to advance the best interests of our
Fraternity.
Proclamations.
The usual proclamations have been issued by the Grand Master for
the observance of the anniversary of the birth of Odd Fellowship, and
for the observance of Memorial Day. These proclamations were duly
heeded by the members of the Subordinate Lodges, and their observance
was more uniform in the State this year than ever before in the
history of Odd Fellowshipf which is clearly an indication of an increased
appreciation of the benefits derived from membership in our
Order, and teaches us that, as civilization advances and the higher
principles of our Order are more thoroughly inculcated, we learn
to more fully appreciate the good accomplished, and the memory of
those who have departed to join the Grand Lodge on high.
Special Sessions of the Grand Lodge.
Our Grand Officers, during the past year, have held several sessions
of the Grand Lodge, scattered over the entire jurisdiction, for the purpose
of conferring the Grand Lodge Degree upon worthy Past Grands.
These meetings of the Grand Lodge have been well attended, and the
Degree has been conferred upon hundreds of Past Grands in this State.
I heartily recommend the holding of special sessions of the Grand
Lodge wherever and whenever it is practicable to do so, in different
localities of the State, for the purpose of conferring the Grand Lodge
Degree. The reasons for this are so apparent that the subject needs
no discussion at my hands in this report.