Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-10-21
G. Z. o. Of o. F. Annisersary Celebration.

~ L. u. Oh u r. Anniversary Celebf alton.
The celebration Of the twenty second ami
veTsary OF Union Friendship Lodge, No. 1911, Of
". u. .. of O. F., Of Washington city, ID. O.,
tOoA place October Is, 1>6c, p. @. NJ. Mccoy
master OF Ceremonies. The lodges formed ac-
cOrulng 10 age, the youngest IN mont, Z. q. NJ s
IN the rear. On arriving a. the Union Bethel
Church they opened ranks and marched in, in
reverse order. After all were seated, the Z. q.
NJ. on the platform and cfficers together &C.
cordInC 20 seniority, AT three raps OF the gavel
all rose, and Rev. A. j, Jones offered a fery-nt
prayer. and one tap OF the gaveI seated the
order. The choir of the church then gave in
fine style an appropriate anthem, after which
the master OF ceremonies, p. q. NJ. McCoy
reviewed briefly the cons titutIon and made the
fOllOwi ng remarks:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers of the great
Fraternity of Odd Fellows: i tender YOU ALI a
happy greeting. This is auspiclOus hour
ana to me especially 1t is one of great interest
We are assembled here to commemorate the
organization, OF IN other words to celebrate tue
twenty second anniversary of our lodge of the
q. u. o. of D. +. Previous to the wear SO
Odd Fellowship south of Mason and Dixou's
line With our people was unknown. In the
spring OF that year little band of brothers,
who had been for some time associated together
for the intellectual and moral improvement of
our people In general, and of the children and
youth IN particular, being appr.sed of tue
establishment of the order in the cities
of New York and philadelphia, determined
to establish lodge in Washington, aud formed
themselves into an organization preparatory
thereto, In which they succeeded in the Octo-
Der following, twenty-five years ago the pres
ent month; and while dsclaim any approach
toward egOtISm. 1 rejoice in the fact that L
claim the honor OF being one of that little band,
and when i retrospect the past history of those
Adventures, | am overwhelmed with mingled
emotions of Joy and sorrow at the reminIs-
censes of the varied scenes we have passed
through together, and sorrow that have no
more of their enjoyable com pan Ionship. Ike
the Disciples of old that that little band of
brothers twenty-five years ago We're huddled
together in little upper room III a private
room, (and that very small One,) II the ex-
treme southwest boundary of the city, almost
afraid TO have 1t known that such an organiza-
ton existed; but like the candle, its light could
not be obscured although we were reproached
Nothing daunted we pursued our Onward
course and our numbers increased, until we
were compelled to seek a larger place IAwhich
TO hold our meetings. This dsne, our meetings
became more public. Then was the tug of
war. Threats We're made by the rowdy e,e-
ment of the privileged race, and for our safety
we were obliged TO employ the officers of the law
TO guard The building on the outside while we
transacted our business within; but than ks be
TO God. brighter day has dawned; the black
pail of slavery has been lifted from US
people; the glorious sun of mental aud moral
Improvement is driving back the mists of
Ignorance, superstition and vice. Odd Fellow
ship, like the soal of old John Brown, is
marching on. The greater portion of thai lit
tie hand of whom 1 made mention as the
founders of Union Friendship Lodge, have
long since ended their labors earth, and
ldhtu ulSutE utRTee ludu any edTtuiy Lodge
can confer among whom is the lamentcd John
r. Cook, L. T.. Nugent, Daniel Bond, .ames
II. Fleet, and others, of whom much might be
said in their praise. They are free from toll
and care. reapIng in JOY the reward for their
labors OF love in the providence OF Him who
ordereth all thlIg Is according 10 His own good
pleasure. have been allotted longer space
work being not yet finished. L am stilI work
ing and intend 10 work for the good cause until
the Grand Master of the universe shall sign
my release and say II is enough"
n. q. A. w. Freeman was then introduced,
and entertained the audience briefly with the
organization. progress, and present state of the
Order III the Distinct OF Columbia, and exhort-
ing odd Fellows 10 industry and prompineSs
III The discharge of every duty, which means
would alone insure success.
L. q. John 4. Sims, OF John L. Cook Lodge.
was next introduced, and dwelt at length upon
the great success of the Order since its Organi-
ZatIOD: contrasting cur past history as fTa.er-
nI'y with thar OF the present, proving by his
remarks thai he was really we'll posted, and
had watched over the progress OF the Ordsr as
a good sentinel, as he gradually advanced and
earned new bOHors.
Rev. h. n. +. James A. Handy, of Baltimore,
was announced, and with great force Of 1rEu-
ment prOceeued To desCant on the benevolent
designs and the beneficial effects OF Odd Fell
lOwSbIp. He reviewed the history of the n4-
uOns OF the earth. dwelling at length upon the
status OF thu negro in the past and present,
particularly since the chains OF slavery hid
been broken. He referred briefly II the sigma
OF the times, and eXpatiated on the duties anu
the obligations OF Odd Fellows to each other
ana TO God
The closing ceremonies then took place.