(Vf Duke University Libraries D03792642X H REPORT LOUISIANA RELIEF LODGE, NO. 1, TO THE M. W. GRAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA, SUBMITTED FEBRUARY 10, 1862. To the M. W. the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana : In accordance with the custom heretofore observed, on the return of another Annual Communication, Louisiana Relief Lodge, No. 1, begs leave In present the following- Report: We have again to return our sincere and heartfelt thanks to our Supreme Grand Master for his loving-kindness in blessing our city with health during the past year, and keeping far from our midst the destroying pestilence. While the Relief Lodge has escaped the great personal exertion and increased expenditure, always accom- panying an epidemic, other demands of a new and novel character have been imposed upon us. Immediately on the secession of Louisiana from the old Union, many Brethren from the Northern States, then resident among us and unable to obtain employment, were desirous of returning to what they deemed a more congenial clime. Whenever the case was found worthy, relief was granted to enable the Brother to reach his home, as a reference to the annexed statistical table will show. After hostilities had commenced, the Relief Lodge adopted as a rule to grant no assistance to able-bodied men, who had no families depending upon them — believing that when our independence was at stake, it was the duty of all to defend it, and that, when no other \'\ means of support could bo obtained, no good Mason would desire to eat the bread of idleness? while the ODportunity was offered to him to enter the army, and protect the rights and honor of our country. Since that time our charities have been principally confined to widows and orphans, and cases of sickness. Relief has been grant- ed in several instances to Masons in the army, who were unable, cither from sickness or improvidence, to reach their homes or return to camp. The subject of unaffiliated Masons, and female side degrees lias been so often brought to the notice of this Grand Lodge, that it is superfluous to again repeat the numerous cases of both descrip- tions which are continually applying for relief. It is only necessary to say that the evil has not been abated. In our last report it was stated that our Tomb had been renovated and an additional wing built, at a cost of $1,500, of which amount $1,000 had been paid, and a note of $500 given for the balance. Doubts were expressed as to our ability to meet this note at maturity; but it is gratifying to state, that it was duly honored. There is auo- ther wing still to be built, before the structure will be completed according to the original design. But the idea of finishing the Tomb has been abandoned until the return of peace and resumption of business. The "Ancient Charges" declare that "Masonry hath been always injured by war" and "ever flourished in times of peace." If any one ever doubted this truth, our present War of Independence must convince the most skeptical. Large numbers of the active members of our Lodges are absent on the tented field, and of those who remain at home, all who are able-bodied are members of volunteer compan- ies. The Lodges have done little or no work during the past year. Their Treasuries have been exhausted, and the demands upon them for charity have been frequent and urgent. It is gratifying to state that notwithstanding the numerous other calls made upon them, the Contributing Lodges have made every effort to pay their dues to the Belief Lodge. Although our receipts have been materially reduced, and the usefulness of the Lodge thereby circumscribed, no worthy case has been turned empty away. Our Secretary, Bro. A. DeSola, has prepared the following state- ment of the receipts and expenditures of the Relief Lodge, for the year 1861. / /"'- RECEIPTS. Balance on hand, January 1st, 18G1 $424 -0 Orders in hands of Secretary, January 1st, 1861, since paid... 366 00 Received from Friends of Harmony Lodge, No. 58 :"_M 00 George Washington Lodge, No. 65 300 00 Dudley Lodge, No. 66 234 00 Marion Lodge, No. 68 830 00 Alpha Home Lodge, No. 72 100 00 Louisiana Lodge, No. 102 50 00 Ocean Lodge, No. 144 192 00 4 2319 29 Donation from Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 44, St. Louis $ 20 00 Council of High Priesthood 5 00 1'cliean Chapter Rose Croix, No 11 : and Eagle Council K— H, No. 6 2 50 Supreme Council of Charleston 2 40 General Relief Committee, I. O. 0. F 20 00 P. G. M. Win. M. Perkins 81 75 Returned by relatives of a Monte Videan Brother 65 00 " a Canadian Brother 10 00 " an Irish Brother 5 00 Received for use of Vaults. 81 bo 80 00 35 00 Total disbursements in 1861. in hands of Secretary, not cashed. S 2515 94 , 1,619 00 896 94 264 00 Amount in Treasury, Dec. 31st, 1861 S 632 94 DISBURSEMENTS. SOUTHERN* CONFEDERACY. To applicants from Alabama $ 10 00 " Georgia 30 00 " Kentucky 10 00 " " Mississippi GO 00 •' Missouri 30 00 •' ** SouthCarolinn 40 00 " Texas 279 00 " " Virginia 35 00 494 00 Amount forwarded $ 191 00 4 Amount brought forward S 494 00 UNITES STATES. To applicants from Connecticut $ 10 00 " Illinois 15 00 " " Indiana 15 00 " New York 29 50 " " Pennsylvania 35 00 " " Wisconsin 10 00 144 50 EUROTE, ETC. To applicants from Ireland $ 17 00 " France 10 00 " Monte Video, S. A 65 00 " Nova Scotia* 10 00 " St. Thomas, W. I.* 10 00 111! (Ml To Masons of Louisiana $ 10b* 00 To Widows and Orphans of Louisiana 135 00 241 00 Note for addition and repairs of Tomb $500 00 Tomb expenses 18 50 518 50 Secretary's Salary for 1801 60 00 Tyling, Printing, Stationery, Postage, etc 49 00 Total disbursements for 1861 $ 1,619 00 RECAPITULATION OF DISBURSEMENTS. To Masons of Louisiana $ 106 00 " Southern Confederacy 145 00 United States 94 50 " other foreign jurisdictions 112 00 457 50 To Widows and Orphans of Louisiana 135 00 " " Southern Confederacy 349 00 United States 50 00 534 00 Amount forwarded $ £91 50 * Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England. 5 ■ Amount brought forward S 001 50 Note paid for addition to tomb 500 00 Tomb expenses 18 50 518 50 Secretary's Salary, Printing, Tyling, etc 100 00 Total disbursements $ 1,610 00 We have again to return our thanks to several Masonic bodies for the sympathy and assistance extended by them to us. By referring to our receipts, it will be seen that their sympathy was not confined to words, and the material aid bestowed, testified their appreciation of our "work." Past Grand Master, Win. M. Perkins, has again presented to the Lodge, his annual donation of $31 75, thereby proving the same interest, in our success which he has always exhibited since the for- mation of the Relief Lodge. Two Brethren of other Jurisdictions have returned the amounts granted them, and the relatives of a deceased brother re-imbursed the Lodge, for the expenses attendant upon his last sickness and funeral. Cases like these stand out like an oasis in the desert, and encourage ns to persevere in our labors. For it is a consolation to know thai among the many applicants for relief that some are truly worthy, and are not unmindful of their plighted faith. Hoping that our "work" may always be such as will merit a con- tinuance of the approbation of the Grand Lodge, this report is re. spectfully and fraternally submitted on behalf of the Lodge. JAMES B. SCOT, W. M. La. Relief Lodge, No. 1. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Duke University Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/reportoflouisian01free Hollinger Corp. pH8.5