he introduction of the grade system; among those who
then dropped out of the organization, disbelieving in the departure from
the original simplicity of forms, were some of the most active and
influential members, the loss of whose interest and personality was
severely felt for years.

During 1870 and 1871, the growth was small, and high water mark for that
period was reached in the first quarter of 1873, when a membership of
ten thousand and seventy was reported. From this point came a reaction,
the numbers slowly and steadily diminishing for six years, the lowest
point in membership being reached in the spring of 1879, when there were
but seven thousand seven hundred and forty-eight upon the rolls.

From that time, slowly at first, but without retrogression, the
membership has risen to its present point, numbering eighteen thousand.

The question of an appropriate badge, which had received much
consideration by two successive National Encampments and their
committees, was finally settled by a resolution passed October 28, 1869,
adopting the design now in use, to be made of bronze from cannon
captured during the war.

During one or two years of the Grand Army in this state, there was no
organized charity work, but the necessity for systematized action early
became evident, and in 1870 posts began the establishment of a relief
fund, placed in the hands of trustees, and administered by special
committees; and in this direction Massachusetts has grandly led all
other departments, having expended in the past fifteen years, from the
various relief funds of posts, over $600,000.

This work has been most thoroughly systematized, in nearly every
instance cities being divided by wards, and large towns into districts,
with a special investigating committee for each, and, from the intimacy
of association, the knowledge of records, and the veterans' natural
hatred of shams, a like amount of money could hardly have been as
judiciously or economically disbursed through any other channels; while
from no hands could aid to the family or dependent ones of a needy
veteran come with so little of the chilliness of reluctant charity as
from those of old comrades-in-arms.

Unlike most, perhaps every other charitable society, the larger part of
this money has, continually, from the first, been expended in behalf of
those who are not of its membership.

From time to time the posts have appealed to the public, by fairs,
concerts, lectu