Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-04-26
LOCAL NEWS.

ODD FELLOWS CELEBRATION. The lndepen-
dent Order OF Odd Fellows OF this city, in con-
junction with Loudoun Lodge No. &c. of Lees
burg, celebrared the fitieth anniversary OF the
establishment of the Order in this country, to.
day by procession through the principalstreets
headed by Weber's fine brass band, from
Washington, 10 their new Uniform. and mar
shaled by Hugh Latham, p. G. VI. Of Poto-
mac Lodge, aud P. g.. R. +. Divine, of Lou
douu Lodge. The parade was participated 10
by Potomac and Sarepta Lodges and Marley
Encampment of this city, and by Loudoun
Lodge and Mount Olivet Encampment Of Lees
burg, and presented, with its. banners and re-
galias, aud other insignia, and beautiful
wreath of flowers, which had been presented to
the Order by Mrs. Brinkerhoff, very hand
some appearance. After marching through
the streets, as per programme puollshed few
days ago, the procession entered the NJ. h.
Church South. Owing to misunderstanding
with regard to the time for the arrival OF the
procession at the church, delay OF some
minutes was made by the absence OF the choir,
which was to discourse music on the occasion.
The delay was shortly terminated by the ap-
pearance of the ladies and gentlemen composing
tho choir OF that church, and they sung an an
them, which was followed by prayer BY Rev.
E. j. Willis, Chaplain. After another anthem
By the choir, p. G. NJ. Hugh Latham introdu
ced the orator of the day, Rev. j. ID. McCabe,
P. G. Chaplain OF the Grand Lodge OF the
United States, who, for an hour and halt,
eusrossed the attention of his audience By an
address, eloquent and instructive, full of poetic
imagery and patriotic fire. The subjects OF be-
neyolence aud philanthropy, the care OF the WI
dow and the orphan, were presented in new and
beautiful garbs, aud illustrated by examples.
A most touching tribute was paid to the memo
~ OF Thomas Wildey, the founder OF the Order
in this country, whose monument, more endur-
ing than the granite shaft erected to his memo-
~ in his native city, OF Baltimore, Is seen IN
the establishment Of an order which 10 fifty
wears has grown from five members to 100000
The purest sentiment OF which our nature Is
capable is that of sympathy with those IN mis-
fortune, aud the sweet tides OF love gush out,
uniting heart to heart and man to man at Its
touch. Sympathy with misfortune. and Or
panizad efforts for its relief, are the aims OF the
Order and will always enlist the hearts OF the
noble and good. -,
The present state Of the country in which
the love of money is the prevailing sentiment
was described as semi barbarous, when "cuy
bono ?" is ever the cry. The benevolent Or
ders Of the day are too catholic to suit the spirit
of the times, which will not hear OF anything
that will not pay. Where fraud and sefshness,
SANDER and cringing prevail, it is no wonder
that the eager multitude do not recognize the
claims of society which seeks to reach out
succoring hand to the destitute being trodden
under foot by the money-seekiug, sordid world.
The fields, dark with suffering to be reaped,
furnish work enough to task the hearts and
hands of every member Of the Order.
At the conclusion of the address the choir
sang another anthem and an announcement was
made by the Rev. James Young, z. e. w. 7.
of the Grand Lodge Of Kentucky, OF Tree
temperance lecture, to be delivered to morrow
night, and the benedction having been pro.
nounced BY the Rev. r. r. S. Hough, the as
semblage was dismissed at three O'Clock. The
procession then reformed and marched to Am
erican Hall. where a sump.uous dinner was
enjoyed by those who had taken part in it.
Alter dinner the Leesburg visitors were es
corted to the depot of the A. i. & Fl. r. r.,
the procession passing and saluting the Ga
zette Office on its way.