Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-27
Odd Fellows ceIebrns.on gYesierday.

Odd Fellows Celebration Yesterday.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows
in their gay uniform Of red and gold, pre-
scented splendid pageant when marching
through our streets yesterday. A fine band
of music preceded them through the streets,
and on reaching the Yestibule of the First
Presbyterian Church, played beautiful
air, whose dying notes touched the KEYS Of
the deep-toned church organ, into an
anthem Of thanksgiving and praise.
! A hymuiwas then sung By the chior and
| prayer was offered by --- 4
second hymn was then sung by the choir,
after which Rev. A. J. Baird, DID. Pastor
of the First Cumberland Presbyterian
Church Of this city, delivered a sermon
from the 18th and part of 10th verses of
ID Chronicles. To those who are
accustomed to hear the eloquent
tongue Of DR. Baird, it would be
unnecessary TO say one word to add
laurel 10 his brow. With a theme
in sympathy with his heart, his tongue was
touched with almost seraphic sweetness /;
while his fancy glowing with the inspira-
ton Of Thanksgiving, spread with profuse
hand, tropes and metaphors over his large
and cultivated audience.
To attempt even an outline OF this elo-
quent address would do great injustice 10
the speaker. Ii you'd be impossible to
transfer those glowing ;ints OF fancy to
paper, or TO photograph with accuracy the
poetic gushes which leaped from his heart
and brain.
Images lay thick on his talk
A. shells on oceans sands"
AT THE CAPITOL,
Early after supper, crowds of ladies and
gentlemen could be seen vending their
way to the capitol, and before half past
seven O'clock, the large Hall of the House
of Representatives was filled with ladies
and their attendants, whilst the galleries
were pretty well filled with gentlemen.
When the Odd Fellows arrived, and were
slowed away, all parts of the Hall, above
and below, were densely packed. We have
never seen finer audience, or one that
behaved more genteelly. Ii was one of
which any city might be proud, or any
speaker feel it privilege and an bonor to
address. After music by the band, and an
elegant and appropriate prayer by Rev.
Mr.. Bunting, the speaker, Hon. James b.
Nicholson, of Philadelphia, Past Grand
Sire of the Grand Lodge Of the United
States, was introduced by General Thomas
T. Smiley, and proceeded to deliver an
Grafton, the equal of which has seldom been
heard within those walls. After brief exor-
dunn IN which he spoke of the origin and
progress Of the order, and of its first in
PRODUCTION into the United States at Bal
timore, forty-eight years ago, sketching
with masters skill its upward march,
step by step, until it presented the embodi-
ment of the most perfect code of others,
the world ever saw, and had spread itself
through all the States and territories He
referred to dangers which it had encoun-
tered on the breaking Cut of the war, and
had calamity surmounted, and dwelt with
emphasis on the noble conduct of Odd
Fellows in the camp and in the hospital, or
administering to the sick and wounded.
He spoke of the meeting of the Grand
Lodge in 1861, when Southern States had
no representation, and of the daily call of
the entire roll of States, during the session,
its members recognizing no division, and
being satisfied that the time would come
when all would be represented again. he
spoke of the session Of 1862, when Tennes-
see appeared again, through her honored
Representative es-Smiley and Farnsworth-
and of the session of 1865 when every
State reappeared, there was felt then
thrill Of JOY and satisfaction,
he said, as is seldom realized in this
world. There was no obstacle 10 reunion
there were no prejndices TO overcome
they illustrated the truth that love is
stronger than hate. He dwelt at some
length on the objects Of the order-of its
labors in the holy name of charity, and of
its determination to establish federation for
human opinion. il knew nothing of poll
tics-it embraced man as man, and erected
a world wide platform ON which all man
kind might work together. His references
here of the diyersities of nature-of the va
rietieS Of human chaTacter-and his apnii-
cation Of them were sublime. Passing
from theae, he gave examples illustrative
of disadvantage Of Odd Fellowship, and
closed by a most feryid and eloquent APP
peal 10 the order to labor constantly, I'M
tiringly, and at all times, TO increase the
influence, usefulness, and members of the
organization--to carry their banners high
advanced, and TO move on until Life and
Love and Heaven were won.
The speaker was listened to throughout
with deep, earnest attention, and the audi
ence seemed TO be profoundly impressed.
No Grafton on the subject ever heard here,
can compare with this able and eloquent
effort The speaker will bear with him to
his home the gratitude and love of all odd
Fellows who heard him, and the respect
of all his audience.
After music and a benediction by Rev.
Mr. Bunting, the audience retired, satisfied
that they had given one evening TO a holy
cause.