The union Democrat., 1869-04-24
Saturday Morning, April "a. go
American Odd-Fcilow.hip.

Among the organizations existing IN the
United States, for the professed purpose Of
ameliorating the condition of men, and re-
lieving the wants of their suffering members,
Odd-Fellowship stands out as the most proml-
nent. 1t il comparatively young order or
society, originated in England, not quite a
hundred years ngo, and brought to the Unit
ed Stated by Thomas Wildey, and few 9th
e.s who were members in that country. These
few unknown and obscure men organized
the irst Lodge ia America, Mt Baltimore, on
the twenry-six,h day Of April, 1919. For
several years. the order struggled with feeble
existence through many difficulties. sufficient
70 have caused most men 20 have despared ct
it's success. These men who had funded
this first Lodge. being imbued with the trn-
ciples of their cherished society. determined
to know no snch thing as failure. Impressed
with the knowledge Of its great powers for
doing good among men, they spared no exer-
tion within their pnwer, to place II on hrm
foundation. and lived 10 see it take rank
SNNA'
try, in works Of benevoence and charity.
For long time it was known only in the
City of Baltimore, then in New York and
Philadelphia, subsequently 1t received an i'm
petus, and for the past few years, when it be-
come better understood, and the prejudice
which existed against it in its early years,
had been overcome by its apparent good
works, it increased wonderfully in numbers
and the amount of charity dispensed. AT
this time. the jurisdiction of its National
Grand Lodge, extends over oil the States a1d
Territories of the Union, the Canada's, Aus
trailin, Sandwich and Vancouver's Islands,
with membership Of over quarter of a mil
lion, and from present indications. is destin-
ed sooner or later to extend to oil liberal. civ
ilizel nations on the globe, advancing steadi-
ly forward, wherever the banner of liberty
may be unfur|ed. During the past year, this
organization has disbursed nearly eight hun
dred thousand dollars for the relief of distress.
No charitable organization in our country has
shown so much prosperity in the same period
Of time, which is positive evidence of its
adap,abilty to the ordinary necessities of life.
IL has manifested itself for the past few years
in every city and county throughout the coun-
try, by doing an immense amount of good
which has been witnessed bv every communi-
~ in which an organized Ebdge has existed.
Next Monday will be the fftieth anniver-
cary of the establishment of this order into
our common country, and wherever it has all
organization, this natal day will be ceebrat-
ed in an appropriate manner. A grand ma
tional celebration Of the occasion under the
auspices of the Grand Lodge Of the United
States, will take place in the City Of Phila-
delphia. In this county it will be celebrated
at Columbia under the direction Of Tuolumue
Lodge No. 81. BY such means and action,
this great brotherhood will show to the world
their appreciation of tie principles and beau
tiful teachings of their cherished order. Men
cannot engage in performing nobler duty,
than sacrificing one day at the shrine of that
charity and love, which showers lis blessings
upon untold numbers, and pay homage to the
memories Of those who were instrumental in
establishing this organization, fraught with
so much good for the human family.