The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-04-29
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
FIFTIETA ANNIVERSARY.
Its Celebration in Tlmn.

. . :
was appropriately observed by the
different orders in this city.
The day opened Ouspiciously, ma.
ture seeming to olotho itself with cx-
ira beauty ia honor Of the day. At
about 10 o'clock, A. NJ, the Lodges
of tho city met at their respective
Halls to prepare for the exercises
previously announced. The process.
sion vas formed in the following or
der; Oakley Lodge, Seneca Lodge,
Ilotah Encampment, Orator aud
Chaplain. aud d. D. Grand Master,
supported by two =. G's. The
Lodges we're preceded by Boos' Cor
uet Band, discoursing excellent mu-
sic. The procession, after marching
through the principal streets of the
city, proceeded to to the Hall, where
the following exercises were held iu
their proper order. Two good piec-
es of music wore sung by the choir,
an appropriate prayer by Chaplain
Secly, a short aud excellent ora,iou
by Rev. j. {. OSlc, aud benediction.
BOos' Coraet Baud also played one
or two pieces. At the close of these
exercises, the procession form
cd in the order given above, and
marched to the Davis House aud sat
down to a sumptuous rcpas,, prepared
for the occasion by that prince OF
landlords, Levi Wcirick. Upwards
Of two hundred persons ate of the
bouuteous dinner provided.
Taken together, this occasion was
one that will not soon be forgotten
by the dcvotees Of "Frieudship, Love
and Truth." 1t was strictly home
affair, and does honor to the Order.
In this connection We think it
would be we'll to say something re-
garding the origin Of this Order in
the United States and its History,
Objects, Work, Etc, and can do no
better than to use the words of CO
temporary:
Fifty years ago on the date above
given, Thomas Wildey, the Gather
aud founder of Odd Fellowship in
America" brought about the orgaui.
cation Of Washington Lodge No. /,
|. o. o. + at Baltimore, Maryland
Prior to that time several lodges of
the order were started in localities on
the coutinent--Shakespoare Grand
Lodge l. o. 0 +. having been form
ed 10 New York as early as the year
1906 but the lodges that existed
previous to 1916 did not for various
reasons prosper for any considerable
length OF time, so that it may conf
IDENTIFY stated that the good seed OF
Odd Fellowship was planted in good
American ground by"Father' Wildey
as above set forth.
The Order possessed ia local hab
iitatiou aud uame" in the Old World
for many years anterior to the date of
its introduction upon the Western
Hemisphere, but it was regarded in
that age as convivial society, al
though it was likewise benevolent
institution, operating, however, with
out any definite system as to aid or
relief in cases Of sickness and dis
tresS
Odd Fellowship is entitled to the
honor of having taken the lead in
Temperance reform in this country,
1much as years before tho Wash
ingtonian movement was started, this
Order adopted regulations forbiddiug
the use of stimulating beverage in
lodge rooms, and stizmatizing intem-
perance as disgraceful aud ruinous
habit. The adVanced position thus
taken by the Society of Odd Fellows
gave it a favorable prestige, and rap
idly did it increase in numbers, re
spectablity and influence. In 1880
the Order had extended iuto six
states aud the District of Columbia,
comprising total membership Of
over 5000, In 1910 there were
Lodges iu twonty one States aud Ter
ritories, with an aggregate member
ship of more than 1900; aud in
1850, the organization had augment
ed to l75, 900 members, in 2, $50 sub
ordinate Lodges. The Order under
the jurisdiction of the Graud Lodge
OF tho United States, now numbers
about 100000 contributing members,
comprised in $500 Lodges, aud To-
Gated in every State and Territory ia
the Union, 10 the Canadian Dominion,
in British Columbia, in Australia,
and the islands of the ocean.
The rapid growth of the Order
throughout the world is something
remarkable; the various branches of
the fraternal family Of Odd Fellows
numbering in tho aggregate at least
100000 men. The total revenue
of the Order in the New World du.
ring the past year approximated two
aud half millions, aud the disburse.
ments for the same time, for reliev-
ing the wants Of sick aud needy
brothers, buryiug The dead, assisting
the widow aud educating the orphan,
we're not far from ssO0,O0O. The re-
sources of the l. o. o. II. are i'm
mause, probably $4,000, 900; ard
many fine buildings Tor lodge aud en-
campment purposes are owned by
the brotherhood.
A word about the objects and OPP
perations of this organization. It's
motto is Friendship, Love aud
Truth" and its ministries are "To
visit the sick, relieve the distres: ed +,
hurry the dead. and edueate the or