Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-07

1
GEORGE MELLERSH.
Marshal.
b. BINGHAM and J. NJ. LITTLEFIELD.
Assistant Marshals.
Band Of Music.
Outside Guardians.
Scene Supporters.
Brethren Of Initiatory and White Degrees.
Brethren of Covenant Degree.
Brethren Of Royal Blue Degree.
Brethren Of Remembrance Degree.
Brethren OF Scarlet Degree.
| Conductors. Chaplains. Wardens.
I Per. Secretaries. Treasurers. Secretaries.
Supporters. Vice Grands. Supporters.
Supporters. Noble Grands. Supporters
Past Grands.
The Inside Guardians with drawn Swords.9
Car with the Orphans.
D. D. G. MASTER. Encampment Members.
Pc. Masters.
P. @. Representatives to g. L. U. S.
Rev. DIR. Ferguson, Chaplain OF the Day.
Rev. DR.. White. and Orator Of the Day. in
Carriage.
In this order the column moved from
the Hall down Main to Madison, out Mad.
ison to Third, up Third to Market, down
Market to Main, down Main to Vance,
out Vance 10 Judge James park, where
every arrangement had been made for
the ceremonies and pastimes of the day.
From the stand on the grounds here the
Grafton prepared for the occasion was
delivered by D. G.. M. NJ. r. Elliott, of
Sumner county.
Commencing with an elegant reference
to the fall Of man, he showed with what
persistence the curse then pronounced
had followed the human race. To miti-
gate, however, as far as possible, its
blighting effects, and prompted by a phil
anthropic spirit, good men had at different
periods OF the worlds history formed So
cieties and organizations of which the
object was to cultivate the social feelings
and the ameloration of our unfortunate
condition, hoping that they might so far
! fraterpize the world and so unite men in
the bonds of friendship and love, as
would enable all to rise superior to the
misfortunes that crowd so thickly upon
the pathway from the cradle to the grave.
Conspicuous among such organizations
was the /. 0. o. F., than which perhaps
no brighter star has risen upon the
worlds horizon, shed more light, glad
dened more hearts, dried more tears, dis
sippated more cares. He then proceeded
to enter fully upon the origin and lob
iects of the order. 1t mattered not, how
ever whether Odd Fellowship had its
inception in the garden of Eden, and
came to us clothed in the majestic
habiliments of the past, or whether
it sprang into existence under the
genial influences of the nineteenth
century-it was enough to know that
Faith, Hope and Charity were the main
pillars upon which it rested. Friendship,
Love and Truth were its cardinal prnci
Piles, its great purpose was 10 Danish dis
cord and strife from earth, while its teach
ing, dsregarding all religious or political
creeds, presented platform so broad, so
universal in its adaptation to the wants
of the human family that all might con-
scientiously unite in their efforts to fra
ternize mankind.
From the most authentic records it
appeared that Odd Fellowship had it's
origin in the city of London, about the
middle of the last century, having been
founded by some journeymen mechanics.
They assumed the name of Odd Fellows
from the then singularity of the Object
which united them, viz: the relief of the
wants of their members. From this OBJ
scure and humble origin, it continued to
spread until it enveloped the Eastern
Hemisphere in its folds, and then, as if
unwearied in its fight, with Excelsior
written upon its banners, it crossed the
ocean, and to-day, its 49th anniversary
upon this continent, its influence was
felt and recognized throughout the
/ leUSlu duu UTchutu VI AuC "uOAo AouNi
and thousands Of true, honest, philan-
thropic hearts we're doing homage
at its mystic shrine. Having thus
sketched the history Of the Order, the
orator noticed briefly its objects and its
influence on society, demonstrating that
it promulgated no theory, advocated no
principle, Endorsed no faith, and per-
formed no acts as an organization that
we're not founded in the law Of God, and
had not direct tendency 10 promote the
good Of the human race. To exercise
spirit Of true and active charity, was the
imperative duty Of every Odd Fellow.
Beginning with 1861, previous to which
time only a partial record was preserved,
and coming down to 1861, 1t was found
that the following amounts bad been paid
for the following purposes
Relief Of brothers 90 %
Re ief Of widowed families. -----. 1880, y
Eiucation Of orphans.--...---.-----. L.t.s.9 - /
Burying the dcad-..---.--.-.----.--- lssooseao .
Iotal.---.-....--.-..-------- =
Previous TO the years mentioned there
had been expended 81. 2O3. s74 81, making
- r afo zzn ON axn.,dcl /