Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-01-03


!, The Society called the 81. O. O. F.
independent Order of Odd Fellows
which exists in this country, has excited
a considerable degree of attention from
many who are not aware Of the charac
ter and objects of such an Association
and curiosity has been active to discover
what facts it could in relation TO them
/ For the benefit Of such, therefore, we
propose TO enter in,o brief detail Of
their history, and the objects which still
preserve their organization.
In the year 55, and during the reign OF
Nero, the Roman soldiers formed a socie.
Ivy in their camp which they dis,in.
guished by the name ofthe "Odd Fellows
Society,"" and they were called among
themselves ard by others, "Fel low Citi-
zens." The title was given to them by II
tus Caesar in the year 10, as it so well cor
responded with their singular notions nd
manners, from their being able to know
each other in the night, and for their at
tachment to him, and to their country.
He not only gave them name, but mani
tested his regard for them, by presenting
them with "a dspensalion engraved on a
plate OF gold, leaving different emblems.
such as the sun, moon, stars, the lion, the
lamb, the dove and the emblems of i'm.
mortality" The Order continued to in
crease in Italy, and by the 18th century
lit had spread over the Spanish dominions,
/ reached Portugal, and become establish
ed in France and England And in the
same time G, Lodge Of Honor was pre-
served until the reign Of George 3, when
a portion of them formed themselves in.
10 a distinct union, the relics which re.
main 10 this DAY, having increased to vast
numbers Throughout; the world and are
known as the Loyal Ancient Odd Eel
lows.
The present Order Of Odd Fellows
was instituted in Manchester, England
about the year 1900. The members had
belonged to the Ancient Order, but be-
coming dissatisfied, they seeded, and for.
med themselves into a body under the
title Of ''Indtpendent Odd Fellows,n tc
distinguish themselves from the other fra.
te.nlty, and which title is still preserved
by them. Soon after their formation al
Manchester the Order began TO spread,
and in the course of very brief period
reached this country. Here, we believe,
the first organization took place at
Philadelphia, or Baltimore, and now al
most every town Of any size ia the Union
has 10 acknowledge the existence Of So
ciety Of Odd Fellows.
The primary object which led to the
/, formation Of the first institution has ever
, been preserved, and now marks the char.
ter Of the Order S noble and prasewor
tthy. II consists in acts of benovolence
ImnuaIy exercised towards each other
when either party is in distress, in sick
ness, suffering, or 10 cases of death. The
only secrets which the society enions is
that Of mutual recognzance under am
circumstance and IN any part of the ayord,
and which is highly proper and right that
they should preserve.
Thus we have given, so far as we arc
able, general outline of the history.
character and purposes OF the society Of
Odd Fellows, and we trust that they will
ever cherish the sacred object which
unites them together in band of Love,
Friendship and Charity, and like their
Roman Fathers, prove an honor to them.
selves, their cause, and their country.