Order of the Eastern Star

The largest Fraternal Organisation for Ladies & Gentlemen in the World

HISTORY

The forerunner of what we know today as the Order of the Eastern Star had its origin in France, where it was most extensively promoted, and spread to other parts of Europe. There are various theories as to the date and place of its origin, some of them thoroughly unacceptable, based upon unwarranted mixtures of facts and fictions. The most trustworthy claim is that the organisation began about the middle of the 18th Century.

Most Worshipful Brother Dr. Robert Morris, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, 1858/59, a very learned and respected Masonic Lecturer, and ultimately Poet Laureate of Masonry, attempted to introduce an imitation of it which he had compiled, under the name of the "American Adoptive Rite". It consisted of a ceremony of initiation and of five degrees named (1) Jephthah's Daughter, or daughter's degree; (2) Ruth, or the widow's degree; (3) Esther, or the wife's degree; (4) Martha or the sister's degree; (5) Electa, or the Christian Martyr (or mother's degree). These five degrees represent the five points of the star used as an emblem of the order, to this day.

Dr. Morris said that the objects of the order were to associate in one common bond, the worthy wives, widows, daughters and sisters of Freemasons; to secure to them advantages from a moral, social and charitable point of view, and from them, the performance of corresponding duties.

The ritual Dr. Morris outlined was adopted by the General Grand Chapter of America in 1876, in Indianapolis Indiana. The Ritual remains little altered, today, from his original work.

In the due process of time, the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland was formed, with authority to control and expand the order in Scotland, England, Ireland and the whole of the British Empire overseas. The Order began in Australia with the institution of Sarah Chapter No 31 in Queensland in 1912, followed by Southern Cross No 33 and Hartford No 34 in New South Wales in 1913.

Sydney District Grand Chapter was instituted in 1923 and for several years had jurisdiction over all Chapters in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. In 1946/47 the Sydney District Grand Chapter divided into a number of Districts to enable a more efficient operation and eventually, the Grand Chapter of New South Wales was instituted in 1951 as the governing body of the Order in New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory.

In 1946 Queensland saw its first District Grand Chapter established and on Australia Day in 1985 the Grand Chapter of Queensland was instituted as the 

governing body of the Chapters and Districts in that State.

The Melbourne District Grand Chapter was instituted in 1954 with jurisdiction over the Chapters in Victoria.

Chapters have been established in Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, and these were directly administered by The Supreme Grand Chapter of 

Scotland until June 1985 when the United Grand Chapter of Australia was instituted.

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THE SYMBOLS of THE ORDER

The Ritual and Ceremonies of the Order of the Eastern Star evolved by Robert Morris when in a deeply religious state of mind. The first four of the notable female Bible characters chosen as symbols and representations of the five degrees were said by Brother Morris to be "illustrations of four great examples of womanly virtue”;

Jephthah's Daughter, given the name of Adah, brilliantly represents the proper respect to the binding force of a vow;

Ruth beautifully illustrates devotion and loyalty to the memory of a loved one and wholehearted consecration to religious convictions and principles;

Esther represents the nobility of fidelity to loved ones and illustrates the value of undeviating faith in the hour of trial and sorrow".

Martha teaches us to have a trustful faith and a hope of immortal life;

The fifth, and last of the characters representative of notable principles, was selected as the "Elect Lady" to whom the Evangelist John addressed one of his 

Epistles: “famed for genuine piety and loyalty to the fundamentals of Christianity”, she is numbered among the martyrs of the first century A.D. and movingly 

illustrates the principles of patience and submission under persecution, ill-treatment and even death, for a noble cause.

The Order of the Eastern Star is non-denominational and non-sectarian and requires only the belief in a Supreme Being. Its ritual and Ceremonies, centering in and radiating from the five notable feminine characters of the Bible, are designed to make the most profound and lasting impressions upon all to whom they are addressed.

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CHARITABLE SUPPORT

In addition to fulfilling the aims and objectives for which the Order was established, the members have always supported local and state-wide charitable appeals, and worked extensively for relief funds set up during depression years and World War II. Assistance has been given to the victims of State and National disasters over the years.

Because of their larger membership, Chapters in New South Wales and Queensland have been able to make provision for "care" for the elderly and in both states have become proud owners of buildings (eg. The Laurels) for that purpose, as well as purchasing occupancy of units in New South Wales within the Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes organisation.

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STATISTICS

United Grand Chapter of Australia

Instituted in 1985

Total Membership Aust Wide (as at Oct 04) = 4100

Western Australia = 2

Grand Chapter of Queensland

Instituted in 1985

District Grand Chapters = 5

Subordinate Chapters = 58

Grand Chapter of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory

Instituted in 1951

District Grand Chapters = 5

Subordinate Chapters = 34

District Grand Chapter of Melbourne

Instituted 1954

Subordinate Chapters = 12

Deputy Grand Matron’s Committees

Subordinate Chapters

Tasmania = 4

South Australia = 3

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