Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-04-28
me osa F,vvswece,esrss,.s

The Odd Fellows of the United States closed the
celebration Of their fortieth anniversary on Tues
day, with a fine grafton by r b. Boyleston, Of
South Carolina, and poem by b p. Shillaber, of
Massachusetts,, at Madison square, collation. at
the Aston House, and grand ball at the Academy
Of Music. IL was estimated that ten thousand Odd
Fellows participated in the celsbratioa. about a
third Of whom wefef' visiting brethren,'
Previous to the regular order Of exercises, Grand
calling the attention of the spectators Introduced
to thern Past Grand Sire Thomas wildey, of Bal
timore, Maryland who, he said. introduced the
Order of Odd Fellows into this country from Eng
gentleman, and was dressed in rich regalia He
was received with considerable enthusiasm and
addressed a few remarks To the audience. in tone
so low, however, that not moiety Of those around
could hear him. He said that he established the
first Lodge Of the Order Of Odd Fellows in the
United States, the 10Th Of A ril. 1919. in the
city Of Baltimore, Maryland: AT the close Of his
remarks, he was greeted with loud cheers.
Grandsire Crafghead then formally called the
large assemblage To order and introduced the Rev
Junius NJ. Wiley. Of Conn, Past g rand Chaplain
to the q. L.. U. 8, who made an appropriate
prayer.
After music by the band. an ode, written for the
occasion by Bro. ID. p. Shliaher. of Sloan Lodge,
Boston, Mass, was sung by select choir under
the direction Of Mr.. Geo. +. Bristow, to original
music written by Mr.. C. NJ Butler, Of Boston
The first stanZa read:
Hold up the torch, o brothers true.
Sustained by warm, fraternal feeling,
AS we that living faith renew,
That e'er in good is self-revealing
The orator of the day, G Rep Bro r. B. BoyIes-
ton, Of ;. c., was then introduced and received
with applause His Grafton was short, and lis
tened to attentively.
In conclusion, he alluded to Mr. wildey and
the first lodge IN the nited States, and brought
out hearty applause. From such unpretendny
origin they had spread like branches of the oak.
TO woman he paid an eloquent eulogium. and
closed by saying that she led men gently by the
hand to heaven. Mr.. Boyleston retired amid loud
applause.
Calls were made for Mr. WILDLY, who came
forward and received a round of applause.
second ode on the programme. in consequence
Of its length was Omitted and the exercises closed
by the benediction, which was given by Past
Grand Chaplain Wells, of Mass; then the large
audience dispersed singly and by companies Of
lodges.
The officers Of the grand bodies Of Southern New
York, having invited the members Of the Grand
Lodge of the United States to a collation., about
two hundred members sat down to a very elegant
banquet in the Astor House restaurant on Tues
day afternoon at O'Clock.
Among the toasts one to p. G. NJ. Frederick
Stuart of the District of Columbia who conceived
and brought forward the plan OF the celebration.
After the banquet the brethren sang Aud Lang
Svne." and adjourned To the Academy Of Music.
where the proceedings Of the day were wound up
by grand ball. The stage was arranged to repre-
sent a Gothic Temple. Across the front or porch
Of which, in letters formed Of jets Of gas was the
motto Of the Order: Faith Hope, and Charity
On the stage were the eight elegant candelebras
used for the musical concerts. The decorations
We're quite simple and consisted Of American
colors festoOned and draped around the amphithe-
atre and hanging over the centre Of the dress cir
Gle. The invited guests commenced to assemble
about 8 O'Clock They included the chief Of the
representatives Of the Order from other States the
officers of the Grand Lodge Of the United States
his Honor the Mayor, Deputy Superintendent Car
penter, and others, who were shown into the pri-
vate boxes for their use.
The building was filled with fashionable as
semblage; the boxes and seats on the floor were
occupied by great many who came as spectators
only. There were probably about $500 persons
present. At half past nine O'Clock dancing COM
menccd, Skeletons band OF forty pieces with NJ .
Grafula as director. furnishing the music. The
dancing was kept up with undated vigor till
about four a. m, when the guests dispersed after
passing a delightful night.