Often in the scheme of creation, new entities are built on the ashes or remains of a fallen entity. So it was that the Order of Eastern Stars had become in dire circumstances as a result of a depleted membership and finances. Grand Master Scott A. Lewis had established a tight control on the discipline of Lodges with respect to their contributions to the Charity Fund. Suitable progress was made and the Grand Lodge’s Charity Fund was able to survive. It was then determined that the Eureka Grand Chapter was hopelessly in debt to the sum of Thirteen Thousand Dollars. It was further decided that it would be better to go into receivership and clear the records and call for a state-wide Convention to elect officers that the womanhood of this State could have confidence in, to work out a plan that would meet the present day’s need. Additionally it was felt that work would be smoother, if each donee was a member of the O.E.S. Many court litigations would be avoided because the donees would have had a say with the jurisprudence of the Order. The economic status of the group would be enhanced with a corresponding loss to the outside lawyers.

By the following year, the Secretary of State had ordered the O.E.S. not to collect any more money, and to advise his office as to what step the organization planned to bring its affairs in order. A Committee on the Eastern Star was formed and recommended that the Grand Lodge “withdraw its recognition from the Eureka Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, State of Louisiana.” It was further recommended that the wives, daughters and unmarried sisters of Master Masons of our affiliation, form themselves into a club, looking forward to the organization of a Grand Chapter that might be recognized.

Since a Masonic Grand Lodge has no authority in interfering in the affairs of a non-Masonic organization, in this case of O.E.S., it is within its authority to withdraw that which they had given, that is, recognition.

By November, the matter of the Eastern Star was improving, as an O.E.S. Club named in honor of John G. Lewis, Sr., was formed with 39 members in New Orleans, and together with two other clubs, W. L. Carroll club in Natchitoches and Pride of Desoto club in Mansfield, plans were being made to hold a session at Bethlehem Temple, 1125 Dauphine Street, in New Orleans on the 12th of January 1938 to form a Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star.

Grand Master Scott A. Lewis in his address at the 76th Convocation in Natchitoches, LA would note that a “new” Order of Eastern Star had been organized and would be known as Esther Grand Chapter. “We must not be misunderstood,” declared Scott, “that any official recognition carries with it any penalty or assumption of liabilities incurred or to be incurred by said — Grand Chapter — that under Masonic law it is a separate and distinct organization.” “The Committee,” continued the Grand Master, “on Jurisprudence recommended that the ‘prayer of recognition be granted and that they (the new O.E.S.) be accorded all of the rights, privileges and honors due by virtue of their affiliation’.”

On January 12, 1938 the Hon. Scott A. Lewis, M.W. Grand Master of Eureka Grand Lodge (now deceased) called together ten subordinate chapters, that had been under the guidance of the Eureka Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. of Louisiana for the purpose of organizing another Eastern Star Grand Chapter. This meeting was held at the Bethlehem Temple with the Hon. Scott A Lewis, Grand Master presiding. After the singing of Pass Me Not, 0 Gentle Savior’ and prayer by Rev. Buchannon, Grand Master Lewis stated the purpose of the meeting was to organize a new Grand Chapter.

Brother John G. Lewis, Jr. was named as general chairman and to preside over the meeting. Brother Lewis, then appointed Mrs. Delia Johnson as secretary along with her Committee on Credentials. The Committee was composed of Sisters: Clara B. Hart, East Gate Chapter No.5, Bogalusa; Came Wilson, New Deborah Chapter No. 2, New Orleans; Ida Long, John G. Lewis Chapter No. 1, New Orleans; Virginia Tolliver, Acme Chapter No. 6, Arnaudville.

The Chairman, Bro. John G. Lewis, proceeded then to name the following persons to serve on the Constitutional Committee: Grand Master Scott A. Lewis, Chairman; Bros.: Victor Williams, Joseph Misshore, George Sylvester, J. J. Coleman; Sisters: Minerva G. Minor, Julia F. Griffin, Annie Bingamon and Fannie J. Smith. The committee was excused to draw up the Constitution.

The meeting recessed and then reconvened after 45 minutes for the committee to draw up the Constitution. The Constitution in its entirety was received and adopted, upon the recommendation of a motion made by Grand Master Scott A. Lewis and seconded by Sis. A. B. Bingamon. Sis. Henrietta Brooks, New Deborah No. 2, then asked – what amount would a member receive at death. Grand Master Scott A. Lewis answered by saying, that would be left to the discretion of the committee on Charity, which the committee would make these donations pro-rate to the 400 Charity per member received from each chapter.

The discussion afterwards arose as to calling the certificates diploma, after which it was agreed upon that each member receive a certificate of membership, and not a diploma. Upon motion and second, the committee was given a vote of thanks and dismissed.

Bro. John G. Lewis named the following to make up a Nominating Committee — Brothers: Shelly Hammond, Chairman; Rev. Buchanon, G. M. Scott A. Lewis; Sisters: Maggie Bethel, Annette Wallace, Frances Hamilton, and Annie Brown.

The report coming from the Nominating Committee, upon motion of Sis. Maggie Bethel and second by Sis. Henrietta Brooks, was received and the vote unanimous that the following persons be named as Grand Officers:

Sis. Minerva G. Minor, New Orleans, LA, Grand Worthy Matron;
Bro. J. J. Coleman, Mansfield, LA, Grand Patron;
A. B. Bigamon, Grand Assoc. Matron, New Orleans;
Bro. Willie Grant, Assoc. Grand Patron, New Orleans;
Sis. Fannie J. Smith, Grand Secretary, Berwick, LA;
and Sis. Clara B. Hart, Grand Treasurer, Bogalusa, LA.

The Grand Matron appointed the following officers:

Sisters: Virginia Toliver, Arnaudville, LA, Grand Conductress;
Julia Griffin, Lafayette, Grand Assoc. Conductress;
Annie Edwards, Bogalusa, Grand Adah;
Maggie Bethel, New Orleans, Grand Ruth;
Lucille Johnson, New Orleans, Grand Esther,
M. E. Welsh, Morgan City, Grand Martha;
Henrietta Brooks, New Orleans, Grand Electa;
E. C. Blond, New Orleans, Grand Chaplain;
D. V. Johnson, New Orleans, Grand Lecturer;
Ellen Blanton, New Orleans, Grand Warder;
Bro. Victor Williams, Bogalusa, Grand Sentinel.

The Chapters that made up the nine Chartered Chapters were:

John G. Lewis No. 1, New Orleans, LA;
New Deborah No. 2, New Orleans, LA;
W. L. Carroll No. 4, Natchitoches, LA;
East Gate No. 5, Bogalusa, LA;
Star of the West No. 50, Berwick, LA;
Acme Chapter No. 6, Arnaudville, LA;
Pride of Desoto No. 3, Mansfield, LA;
Veronica Chapter No. 8, New Orleans, LA;
Queen Esther No. 10, Glencoe, LA.

The Committee on Jurisprudence was appointed: Brothers Joseph Misshore, Chairman; Charles J. Sylvester; Grand Master Scott A. Lewis; Shelly Hammond; Clarence Carter; John G. Lewis, Jr.; Boise Bell; Sisters: Corinne Azamore and Annie Brown. The elected and appointed officers assembled before the altar and were duly installed by Grand Master Scott A. Lewis.