ove which shall permeate
and control their daily lives; ministering in all ways to the wants of
the sick and needy; watching at the bedside of the dying; paying the
last sad tribute of love and respect to the dead, comforting and
providing for the widow in her afflictions, and daily exemplifying in
every possible way the Golden Rule.

The Supreme Temple has general supervision of the Order throughout the
world and makes the general laws. The Grand Temples, or State
organizations, supervise the local Temples within their domain. The
latter, besides carrying out the principles peculiar to a fraternal
society, select some special work for the good of those outside their
ranks. Reading rooms have been established, funds donated for public
improvements, charity, etc. In order to care for the orphans of
Rathbone Sisters a Home is soon to be erected, the fund being already
set aside for this purpose. The local Temples care for their own poor
and sick. In such disasters as those at Galveston and Jacksonville,
the Temples send liberal donations to their members to relieve their
financial losses.

The Supreme Temple is composed of twenty-four State organizations and
1,124 local Temples, with a membership of 71,247. Four insurance
branches have just been established (1900).

THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR was organized in the latter part of the
eighteenth century--the exact date is not known. Its founders sought
to create a social tie between the families of Masons, but it early
reached a higher standard of usefulness. Among its objects are caring
for the widow and orphan and assisting the Masonic brother in all
deeds of mercy and love. It has founded Eastern Star Homes for widows
and orphans of Masons and has become a mighty impetus in the building
and support of Masonic Homes. Everywhere its members visit the sick,
relieve the distressed and speak words of cheer to the despairing. It
has been found helpful all over the land in carrying forward the
underlying principles of Masonry. It has taught woman to preside in
public meetings and to make herself conversant in parliamentary law.
Masonry unites the heads of families, whereas the Eastern Star unites
the entire families. Its ritualistic teachings are designed to
inculcate morals and to improve the social virtues. The Order
comprises 3,491 chapters with a membership of 218,238.

THE DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH were organized in 1851 as a side degree of
the Independent Order of O