The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-08-20


under the style of the Union Order Of
Odd Fellows; but they continued as as
semblages at the tavern for mirth and har
mony, and were looked upon by good
men as immoral in their tendencies, and
by the Government they were regarded
with suspicion. Notwithstanding the bad
character which the institution then had
throughout England, it continued to in
crease in numbers. In the year 1909 a
brother by the name of Button, from the
city of London, removed to Manchester.
and, by the assistance Of few others, es-
tablished Lodge in that city, which they
called Victory and, although the Order
now increased rapidly, it did not get much
credit for its intelligence or its sobriety !;
but among the vast number of its initiates
were many men of exalted character and
great intellectual attainments. They be-
lieved, however, that in view of the great
numbers belonging to it, the curiosity
which it excited, its odd name, its unity
of purpose, that if it was remodeled, its
iovial character changed, it might be pro.
ductive of much good, and would then
commend itself to all good citizens. Blu,
this was work of no ordinary character
to perform one that, in those days OF
general joviality, when the glass was a
part of all social gatherings, it would take
years to bring about. Old and time hon
ored landmarks were to be removed from
among the ancient tisages of the Order.
Better hours were to be kept; the money
was to be expended exclusively for char
liable purposes-for relieving the sick,
caring for the widow, and burying the
dead and the money changers were to
be driven from the temple of Odd Fellow
ship. In consequence of this state o!
things, two parties sprang upin the Lodge
those that were for adhering to ancient
usage on one side, and the reform or pro-
gress party on the other. These differ
ences, in 1872, ripened into open warfare
The ancient usage party being the strong
er, the other seeded, assembled in grand
convention, and, early in 1913, declared
themselves wholly independent of the
Union 0rderj and from this beginning
originated the Independent Order which
we have the honor of addressing on this
occasion. Ultimately assuming its Just
position as humane and benevolent in
stitution, progressive in its character, so
rapid was the increase of members that
it soon outnumbered the Union Order,
and it became necessary to adopt some
uniform system of work. But no perma-
nent form of work seems to have been
adopted until January 21st, 1914, when a
Grand Committee, as it was styled, as
sembled for the purpose of adopting a
form of government for the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, or, as they express
ed it, of constituting the Lodges into one
family, under the jurisdiction of a COM
mon head. The result Of their delibera-
tons was the formation of a District as
the head of the Independent Order, which
continues as such to this day. James
Christie was chosen Grand Master and it
was made bis duty to visit all the Lodges
in the District. In May, 1914, this quasi
Grand Lodge was composed of all the Of
fcers, and every Past Grand was made a
Grand Master for six months So that
every Lodge turned out Grand Master
once in three months. How SO many
Grand Masters could officiate in so short
time we are not told but in October OF
the same year we find mention of the
Grand Lodge for the first time. At this
session nearly all the Lodges in England
were represented; a uniform system oil
secret work was established general
constitution was adopted: and the Order
received an impetus which has kept il
progressing till this hour.
In 1925 there were but three degrees
in the Order-the First, the color of which
is white the Second, the color of which
in the old books, is described to be sky.
blue but this year the Patriarchal De
gree was added, the color of which wa
gold; and in this year took place thu
J union of all the Orders of Odd Fellows il
England, under the Manchester Unity q
: their head, and this act was solemnly au
: thenticated by an interchange of sigma
lures by all the Deputies assembled il
Grand Committee, with other appropriate
ceremonies
J In 1926 the Degrees of the Covenan
and Remembrance, which had been com
posed in the United States, were formal,
adopted and incorporated in the work o
the Order They were conferred by tn
great father and founder of Odd Fellow
ship in the United States, Thomas Wildey
the Grand Master OF the Grand Lodge Q
the United States, who was then visitin
England for the purpose Of bringing abou
uniformity in the work of Odd Fellow
} ship. He was received with the highes
honors of the Order in England. At thi
J session of the Grand Annual Movabl
: Committee four hundred Lodges wer
] represented the price of admission wa
fixed at one pound one shilling but non
{ were admitted over forty five years Of age
D 1t was also enacted that any Lodge whic
should initiate a candidate on the Ssbbst
I day should be fined five guineas an
t thus disappeared the last objectionabl
feature connected with Lodge-meeting'
3 For ten years from this time the Inde
D pendent Order continued to flourish an
, increase without any apparent cessation
! but in 1886 certain unworthy men, VIII
t had been expelled from the Lodges fC
3 conduct unworthy Of Odd Fellows, brougt
: suits against the principal officers of th
I Lodges for the amount they had paid i
D for initiation, dues, degrees, etc. The il
ferior courts decided these cases againi
!. the Lodges. A meeting of the Gran
/. Committee was called, and it was decide
? to carry these suits to the highest court
the kingdom; for it was seen at once th'
y if this doctrine was to obtain, there WI
: an end to Odd Fellowship. But in th
higher courts superior wisdom prevailed
i the decisions of the inferior courts wei
9 reversed, and Odd Fellowship went on i
: way rejoicing. Nothing in the previo'
Il history of Odd Fellowship had been I
j. alarming as these vexatious lawsuits, an
r there was great rejoicing throughout Il
e Order at their successful terminstio
Il From that hour up to the present tin
l. tho march of Odd Fellowship in the Bri
d ism Empire has been one of unparalleled
!, success. v9i1 en
Isl The number of Lodges in Great Brita
q at q late annual return, was {, 1872, con
e posed Of over two millions of souls;