Weekly Trinity journal., 1866-05-05


We are assembled on the anniversary of dav
prominent in the history of an Order which, II
we consider the number of its members, the
extent of its operations, and the magnitude of its
influence, occupies the foremost rank among the
benevolent associations OF the age. OF an Order
that lures not its voaries by the glittering prizes
'of ambition, by the glory of distinction, by the
enticements of pleasure, or the attractions OF
wealth, but one that invites by the kindly Offices
of Benevolence and Charity to temples whose en-.
tablatures inscribed with the principles of
brotherly affection, and at whose shrine none
may come save those ready to recognize the fra
ternity it inculcates and to sacrifice enmity in
tolerance, bigotry and oppression on affairs sa-
cred to Friendship, Love and Truth. In a word,
we are here to celebrate the 47th Anniversary of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the
United States.
In the performance of the duty which the par
tiality Of the Brothers has assigned me in the
ercises of the day deem Inappropriate to the
sion to refer, First, to the origin and early his
tory of Odd Fellowship; Second to its objects
and teachings Third, to some of the objections
that have been urged against it; Fourth, to its
results.
First, its origin and early history: When,
where and how Odd Fellowship originated is
matter of speculation. Some anxious to ciothe
the institution with the sanction of ages, have
claimed for it an existence almost coeval with
man. One. indeed. who carries his credulity to
its furthest verge asserts that Adam was its
founder, but whether before his expulsion from
the shady bowers of Eden or afterwards when
he sought lodge beyond its borders. we are
left to conjecture. Perhaps it was before the
advent of our Mother Eve, when all must admit,
he was an Odd Fellow indeed. Others by indus
-trious research among the dusty records of the
past fancy they have been able to trace the in
stitution to Egypt, the mother of science and art,
which country, as history informs us, made her
priests the custodians of her sacred books, con-
tanning not only the principles of Government,
but also the mysteries of her worship Both we
are told were commonly involved in enignas
and symbols which it was thought made truth
more attractive. Except to the few who were
esteemed worthy, the mysteries Of their temples
were sacred from revelation. Within the impos
ing sanctuaries of their religion was erected the
statue Of Harpocrates to remind those who were
initiated of the vows of secrecy they had taken.
-Thither Travelled Homer and Pythagoras, Thales
and Scion, Lycurgus, Euclid and Plato, who
were there invested with much Of that knowl-
edge which contributed not only to immortaze
their names but to render Greece the first among
the nations of antiquity in the advancement of
science, in Improvement in the arts, in the wis
dom of her laws and the glory of her arms
Others, still, through patient Investigation,
have arrived at the conclusion that they have
discovered the germ of Odd Fellowship in the
celebrated Eeusininn mysteries. These were
solemnzed for centuries before and down to the
commencement of the Christian Era, at Eleusis,
Il city near Athens. Their institution is attr
buted to the Goddess Ceres, who went to that
city in search of her daughter Proserpine, who,
rs ancient mythology tells us, carried away
by Pluto. Ceres finding the country afflicted by
famine, gave to the people corn, and not only
taught them the use of it, but also instructed the
inhabitants in the principles of probity, charity,
ciyiity and humanity. And to these happy
lessons the fabulous records ascrbe the cour-
tesy, urbanity and politeness of the people OF
Eleusis and Athens.
Before initiation iato these mysteries the can
didates were obliged to spend certain time in
preparation by purifying themselves in what were
termed the lesser mysteries. During this period
they offered certain prayers and sacrifices, and
lived strictly according to prescribed rules
When the time for their admission arrived it is
said wonderful things were seen and strange and
unearthy voices heard. A sudden splendor dis
PEELED the darkness of the place, and disappear
ing instantly added new horrors to the gloom
Thunders, earthquakes and appartions heighten-
ed the terror and amazement of the candidates,
who, stupifed through fear, heard read to them
the mysterious volumes which the severe law of
silence prevented from being revealed except by
initiation. The Athenians instructed their child
rem of both sexes in these mysteries, and thought
it in the highest degree criminal to let them live
without such an advantage. The ceremony was
considered engagement to lead n better life,
and they thought it commended them to the
special protection of the Goddess to whose SER
vice they were dedicated and further that it was
the means of certain happiness after death while
on the other hand, those who had not been thus
instructed, besides the ills they had to apprehend
in this life, were doomed to suffer in the shades
below
With more plausibity it is asserted by some
eminent Odd Fellows, that the Order was es-
tablished among the Roman soldiers during the
reign of Nero, in Ammo Domini, So. The name
now borne by US it is claimed was given by Ii
tus Caesar in A. D.. 20, to the Brothers
count of the singularitv of their notions, and
from the facility with which they could recog-
nize one another, either by night or day. 1t is
also asserted that in consideration of their 6del-
ity to him and their country, and as pledge of
Friendship, that he presented them with dis
pensa,ion engraved upon plate of gold, bear
ing different emblems, such as the Sun, Moon
and Stars, the Lamb and the Dove, which are
still used among We next hear of the n-
stituton existing in the Fifth Century, in the
dominions of Spain, and of its subsequent es-
tablishment by King Henry of Portugal. Again
il is said the historic record discloses evidence
of the Order having lourished in France in the
Twelfth Century, and that afterwards John De
Neville, attended DY nfe hnlgHts irom tuat
country, formed Loyal Grand Lodge Of Odd
Fellows in London, which it is affirmed kept up
its organization until the reign of George the
Third, when part Of its members organized
themselves into societies for the promotion of
friendship and conviviaiity. Such are some OF
the sources. to which through tradition the in
genuity of wel-meaning men has traced the
origin and course of Odd Fellowship. But a
regard for truth impels me to assert that the ac-
counts rest on tradition alone. The respected
author of the Odd Fellows Manual. writing on
this subject, says that love of mystery and a
blind veneration for antiquity has induced many
associations to claim an origin traceable to the
remote ages of the world, and there have not
been wanting well-meanng Odd Fellows to
render that doubtful service for our order. Con-
founding principles with the institutions embody-
ing them, they have claimed equal antiquity for
both, and similarities which can easily be found
between the modes of initiation, and other cere-
monies OF these ancient institutions, and those
OF our own society, have been appealed to in
proof OF the unwarrantable assumption" P G.
N. Ridgely, who for many years has been the
X W. Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the
United States, in an Grafton delivered in Boston
in ls45, said: I. that although we NAV discover
similitude between the rites, ceremonies and