ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR.

Closely affiliated with the Masonic fraternity is the Order of the Eastern Star, its members being master Masons and their wives, daughters and sisters. The order exists for the purpose of giving practical effect to one of the beneficent purposes of Freemasonry, which is to provide for the welfare of the wives, mothers, widows and sisters of Master Masons. Its principles are promulgated here by Flint chapter No. 138, which was organized at Masonic Hall in 1894 with thirty-one members, and received its charter on January 28, 1895. Its first presiding officers were Mrs. Carrie t. Henderson, worthy matron, and Louis G. Willison, worthy patron. The membership of the Eastern Star at the present time is five hundred and sixty. The meetings are held the second Monday in each month in Masonic Temple. The officers for 1916 are Elsie L. Stevenson, associate matron, acting as worthy matron; John F. Baker, worthy patron; secretary, Mrs. Bessie Wesson; treasurer, Mrs. Elizabeth Cowing.

There are a number of social orders, including the Knight of Bethlehem, made up of Masons, but not a part of the Masonic bodies.