The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-26

monies of the day as imposing as was demanded
by the importance Of the event which You deemed
The brethren in this jurisdiction fully appreciate
the high compliment paid them in selecting ths ciy
the place for the proper observance OF the Grdd
Nafional Segrk Centennial Celebration Of the order.
Your presence with to-day gives also an additional
interest to the occasion, for which, In the name Vi
the BRETHREN tender you their sincere thanks.
/ hope shall DC pardoned ii claim for them % some
right to this natterng consideration by Drei refer
ence to the progress of the Order in this jurisdiction
Soon after the Order was introduced INTO .ne i
United States IL became successfully Cstablsneu IN
this city and State, and its steady progress through
the preudiccs that surrounded IL IN its younger days
has been most remarkable. Having been organized
"for the encouragement and support OF brothers OF
the order when in sickness, distress, or on trayel,
and for the purposes Of Bener0leIce and Charity II
invited TO its affairs class which recognized the ne
cessity and value OF an association Tor mutual ad ana
relief in such cases Keeping these great objects and
PURPOSES Of the organization constantly In view, they
were the guiding star TO ultimate success; and from
our humble beginning, through persistent energy
and devotion to the humane and benevolent prin-
cipes IL incucates, have, hope, attained posi-
tion which will entte us to rank amongst the be-
nevolent institutions OF the times, perhaps the peer
As the tree must be judged by the fruit it hears,
trust shall be pardoned II refer TO the means at
our command in this State and the way in which
they have been heretofore dispensed in carrying out
the great objects and purposes p Of the organization
relief for the past half century, beg TO refer only TO
the official reports for the last year.
We have located i'm this city 119 Lodges, with
membership of over $4,000. We also have "a En-
campments, with membership of nearly 1000 We
with membership OF nearly 10000; and 1873 En-
eampments, with membership of 10000. United,
we have by the last official report for the past year,
in this State revenue of 1904 Goa O6; and by the
same report there distributed for relief during
the year, 2270292l nearly one-half OF the latter
amount having been paid out in this city.
The reports for the present fiscal year now Just
ending will present still more cheering prospect of
the progress of the Order in this State showing an in
creasing revenue and large accessions of members.
As the amount OF the annual revenue and relief
has steadily increased from year to year in the past
and the Order Is growing III public favor and appre
citation, we may with reason indulge the fond hope
that the means for doing good in the future will be
largely augmented; and while we can congratulate
ourselves upon the success which has so far crowned
our efforts, we can with great confidence bespeak
for it in the future prosperous and useful career.
While / have claimed all this for our peculiar
organization, am not unmindful that there exist
reasons which may be justly assigned having
an influence upon the success which has hitherto
attended the Order in this city and State.
The people here have exhibited better apprecia-
ton of the Order than in any other locality the rca
son for which, atter myself, arises from the close
resemblance Of the principles and purposes of the
Order with those promulgated by WILLIAM PEeH,
the founder Of this colony, the influence Of which il
still reflected in the peaceful and benevolent acts of
our people. His great treaty of peace with the In
dams enunciated the purest principles of FRIEND
SHIP, LOVE, and TRUTH. Be 1t remembered that it
was not treaty for lands, but to sette FRIEND
| SHIPS and RENEW COVENANTS OF PEACE and AMIry,
constituting q BROTHERHOOD never to be broken;'
| and to this day 1t has not been broken
Our people, the descendants of him and his con-
tempOraries, have continued to revere the memory
Of the authors, and to admire the pure principles with
which they were animated. This is evidenced on
| every side Our city abounds with public and pri-
vae charities schools, colleges, asylums, hospitals,
homes, refugees and retreats devoted and dedicated
to charitable and benevolent objects. There is
Ill that is heir TO that does not find in the
City OF Brotherly Love an asylum for its cure or
Surrounded, therefore, as we are by phllan-
thropic people, Jealous of good works. 1t would be
passing strange if we failed to be properly appre
ciated.
Notwithstanding all these efforts in the cause OF
human benefaction, we found ground that did not
seem to be occupied and paths not heretofore ira
ecna ps ss of relief has
| worthy and deserving class not heretofore pro
vided for, although the hand that gave 1t could not
| be seen, are content
'"True charity, like the breeze, gathers fragrance
from the dropping flowers it retreshes, and uncon-
sciously reaps q reward in the performance OF its
offices OF Kindness which steal on the heart like
rich perfumes to bless and to cheer"
Hoping TO be favored in the future, as we have
been in the past with fraterna and united counseis,
with reliance upon an overruling Providence for
ance that our labors in the work of human bcncfac-
ton will far exceed in usefulness those of the past,
and better enable us TO obey your injunction: :I.To
visit the Sick relieve the distressed bury the dead,
| and educate the orphan"
And now, Most Worthy Grand Sire, in conclusion,
behalf Of the brethren OF the Order IN this urs-
dIction, extend to you most cordial welcome.
In behalf of the widows and orphans whose tears
have been wiped away, and their stricken hearts
| gladdened by the kindly Offices of the Brotherhood,
/ bid you welcome.
In the name of the good people of this great me-
opols, who recognize and appreciate TO the fullest
extent individual and associated efforts in the amc-
n0ratl0n ana rellef OF human Suncflng, bid you z
most cordial and hearty welcome to our peaceful
May your sojourn amongst us be pleasant and
agreeable and may you carry with you to your iami
lies and homes the most pleasant recollectons ol
! your visit.
Reply of the Most Worthy Grand Sire,
IL. -. FarnswOrth.
AT the conclusion Of the address OF welcome, the
Most Worthy Grand Sire OF the Grand Lodge of the
United States, L. d. Farnsworth, ESQ.,, of Tenncs.
see, responded as folows:-
Past Grand Master John w. Stokes Chairman Qr III,
General Joint Committee OF f4rrdngemeAts:-
In behalf of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge OF the
United States, and OF the assembled brethren Of the
! order from other jurisdictions, who are to-day the
guests of the members of the Pennsylvania iurisdiC
tiOn, and especially of those of the city OF Phade
phia, ] return thanks for the hearty and fraterna
| welcome which has been extended, and acknoW.
ledge my inability httngly TO reply to the eloquent
! and impressive terms in which you have expressed
! 1t. BE assured, sir, that the pageant which yOul
great elty presents Today, prepared In the broad
spirit Of liberality which characteTzcs our Fratcr
nlty and In devotion TO the noble principles which
| constitute the corner-stones of the Order of Odd
Fellows, inspires the souls Of all who witness and al
| who participate in II. The Right Worthy Grand
Lodge, in this dutful celebration OF the Seml-Cen
tennal Anniversary OF the founding Of the order IN
America, Is sensible that Philadelphia and Pennsyl
| yania, in this magnificent display, has en-
| hahced, If possible, the interest which every
tue Odd Fellow feels in the occasion
and congratulates Itself in the selection the City
OF BfothCily Love, with its more than one hundred
and twenty-five Lodges, and more than twenty-seyeI
thousand members, as the scene OF the com
memoratlon OF an event which marked the naugu
ration OF an Order for the efiCent utilization Of the
principles of Friendship Love. and Truth the peer o
any known in ancient or modern times; and dcs
tined, 1t Is hoped and confidently believed, TO spread
as far as human civilization extends and to last a.
long as the dstresses Of the bereaved and SICK ant
the needs of the orphaned and lonely shall clam the
sympathy, the assistance, aud the fostering care o
their fellow creatures In all that you have said
| ifg m its