Denison Daily Herald
27 July 1938

DENISON REBEKAHS FORM ACTIVE UNIT
Denison Rebekah Lodge No. 126, had its origins March 26, 1895, when about ten pioneer Denisonians met and organized.  At that time there was no Rebekah Assembly (that branch of the order being organized a few years later), therefore the Charter for Denison Rebekah Lodge No. 126 was obtained through the local Odd Fellows Lodge No. 161.

With determination these organizers pushed forward for the purpose of their Order.  In a few months the membership increased to more than forty-eight and its membership has kept increasing these 43 years.

Today Denison Rebekah Lodge No. 126 is one of the leading fraternal organizations in the state.  It helps toward the maintenance of the I.O.O.F’s Children’s Home at Corsicana and the Home for the Aged at Ennis.  The I.O.O.F. Home  School  at Corsicana carries the same high credits from the Texas Board of Education as does any public school in the state.

Denison Rebekah Lodge No. 126 today has only six pioneer members, those being: Mrs. Martha Hasseltine, 711 W. Chestnut street, the only living charter member (her daughter Miss Fay E Collins is the Presiding Noble grand for the year 1938). Mr. and Mrs. John L. Walker, 218 W. Walker street; Mrs. Gertrude Rader, 415 N. Perry avenue; Mrs. C.G. Kircher, 1130 West Walker street and Mrs. Christina Rains, 519 West Munson street.  The lodge has 28 past grands, still living who have passed through the different phases of the order and are still active in the welfare of Odd Fellowship.

Officers Listed
The official personnel of Denison Rebekah Lodge No. 126 for 1938 consists of the following: Miss Fay E. Collins, noble grand; Mrs. Frank Ramsey, vice-grand; Mrs. Alpha Etzel, secretary; Mrs. Lilly Mahan, treasurer; Mrs. B.R. Busby, past noble grand; Mrs. Bertha Lebrecht, chaplain; Mrs. Margaret Davis, right supporter to noble grand; Miss Eloise Ramsey, left supporter to noble grand; Mrs. G.W. McMillian, right supporter to vice-grand and who also is the district deputy; Mrs. Frank Benedict, left supporter to vice-grand; Mrs. Rebia Wilkes, inside guardian; Mrs. Minnie Rucker, outside guardian; Mrs. J.A. Talley, warden; Mrs. C.A. Hahnel, conductor; Dr. B.R. Busby, musician; and Mrs. Gertrude Rader, captain of the degree staff.

The Rebekah degree is one of the constituent degrees of Odd Fellowship.  Like all other degrees of the order it requires affirmation by its initiates of a belief in a supreme being.

The objects and purposes of Rebekah lodges are to visit and care for the sick; to relieve the distressed; bury the dead; to assist in every way the members, subordinate lodges, encampment, cantens, junior lodges.  Theta Rho Girls’ clubs, and sister Rebekah lodges in administration to Odd Fellows, and their families when in trouble, sickness or want; to aid in the establishment of homes for aged and indigent Odd Fellows and the wives, and the widows of deceased Odd Fellows and deceased sisters of the Rebekah degree; to develop the spirit of helpfulness; to promote the performance of kindly deeds; to encourage the following of the innate sympathies of nature, and to discourage the besetting sin of selfishness.