The New York herald., 1869-04-26

viii among men, the essential features OF all creeds
and religions, are fully represented ana incueateu
by the daily teachings and practice OF Odd Fellow
ship. II makes no distinction Of ranS, OF creed OF
nationality, nor OF wealth, but embraces all within
Its charitable fold. Among the principal OBJECTS or
the order as now constituted and as 1t has been or
ganiZed ever since its Introduction INTO the Unted
States nifty years ago are reei 10
IN cases OF sickness, visiting the poor and Needy,
watching at the sick bed OF brother, bury1ng
the dead, succOrlng the widows ana educating the
orphans OF deceased members, all OF which are
most worthy and humane purposes. II excludes
ali sectaranism and blgotry and aims solely at the
improyement and moral and social elevation OF man.
With such principles, 1t has been asked why should
the order adhere to Its machinery OF secrecy and
secuson But II Is but Just TO state that the secrecy
and mystery connected with the order are but incl
dents-means TO prevent fraud and imposition
shin and of identification have been found necessary
aud this is all that there Is secret about it, Its ac-
tions shun not the light Of day and its proceedings
are generally known and published to the world
The order is emlnently popular in the United
States. Its members are for the greater part found
among the middle and industrial classes, though 1t
numbers many men OF wealth and commanding
position among its brothers. large majority,
however, are professional men, business men. s,,
estimated that fully one-iourth OF. the
mans, who in every large city have q number Of
lodges Of their own, where the proceedings are con-
Quoted in the German language. AS an lndlcatloh
of this 1t may be mentioned that last summer con-
vention was held in this city OF delegates from
number OF German Odd Fellow lodges, for the pur-
pose OF initiating movement looking TO the accu
mutation OF a fund to build an Odd Fellows Hall to
accommodate the German lodges. Such lodges
are very numerous in this city and throughout the
West.
In the year 1s60 according to the official returns,
there were in the United states 354s lodges, with
49, SIS members. The amount paid for relief in that
year was $54s 746 and for other charitable purposes
S72, 45O. The whole amount thus expended for the
sum, considering the small beginning in baltimore in
lSl9 Since 1850 the order has again largely increased
and 1t is estimated that there are now over 1900
lodges in existence numbering probably 800 900 mem
bers the annual income OF the order for the year 1865
is rated at So 500 000 Of which over ST. 900 was
expended in relieving the necessities of sick or
needy brethren and otherwise employing IL in char
liable objects-a truly munihcent contribution,
which cannot fail to elicit the highest praise One
writer, In commenting upon this and upon the gen.
eral tendencies OF the order, Says:-"American Odd
Fellowship is emnently progressive. It was the
pioneer or the great reforms that now occupy the
attention OF the public Its founders in this country
removed from II the more convival features that
mark the system in England and impaired to 1t the
characteristic elements OF benevolence and practical
philanthropy"
The anniversary exercises TO-DAY promise to be
worthy Of the order. The grand national celebration
when the 900 members In that city VIII march, IN
full regalia, in procession through the streets,
accompanied by numerous delegations from all the
principal cities and towns, east north, south and
west, and 1t Is expected that not less than 50 900
brethren Will participate. Al st. Louis the Mayor
has issued proclamation requesting the citizens
to suspend business between nine and three O'Clock
to-day, In order that all may participate In and VII
ness the procession which to come OF in that city,
ana which will also be splendid ariair judging
from the extensive preparations made for It,. All
the great centres OF trade, besides sending their
delegations to Philadelphia, will also celebrate the
day, and in Boston, Cincinnati, Louisville, Chicago,
New Orleans and Charleston the arrangements are
made IN a style commensurate With the importance
and wealth OF the order.
Thus win pass the fiifneth anniversary of Odd
Fellowship in the United States. AS the country
itself has expanded from mere handful OF people
between the eastern slopes Of the Aeghanies and the
Atlantic to grand nation, covering the continent
from ocean to ocean, and second to none In power.
influence and wealth, so have also increased all the
institutions among the people, and none more rapid
ly nor 10 greater degree Than the order Of Odd
Fellows. Where on the day Of Its birth In America
IL numbered but five people, who ventured to father
Its introduction, II numbers now million and q
half OF souls, directly or indirectly Interested IN its
welfare and prosperity. AS time rolls on and the
country grows larger and more prosperous STILL SO
will this order grow with its prosperity and 1t viii
when, the 26th OF Aprii, 1919, twill celebrate the
centennial anniversary 0f its existence and beneh-
cient working among us.
The Celebration in Philadeiphia-Arrival OF
Delegates from AbrOad-Preparation for n
Grand Ball I'm the skating Rink.
PHILADELPHIA, April 25, 1869.
very large number OF strangers have arrived
here TO participate In the ODD Fellows celebration
tomorrow. The weather promises to be fine. After
the parade the grand feature will be bail in the
skating rink. The capacity or this building allows
three hundred sets To dance at once. Nearly $4,000
have been expended IN decorating the interior.
The Celebration in Portland. Maine.
PORTLAND. April %, 1869.
The Odd Fellows OF this city will celebrate their
sem-centennial anniversary tomorrow, and lodges
from several neighboring cities will be present.