Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-05-05
I. 0. 0. T. Celebration.


semicentennial anniversary of the establish
ment of Odd Fellowship in the United
States. and was pretty generally celebrated
by the members of the order, throughout
the country. The most imposing demon
stration took place in Philadelphia, under
the auspices o. the Grand Lodge of the Uni
ted States, in accordance with resolutions
adopted last September, at the annual meet
ing IN Baltimore. Extensive preparations
had been made, the day was fine, and no.
thing occurred to mar the ceremonies. The
exercises opened at the Academy OF Music,
about ten clock, A. NJ, where prayer was
offered by Rev. j. W. Venable, Grand
Chaplain, and the address of welcome de-
liyered by John W. Stokes, Esq. Past Grand
Master of the r. w Grand Lodge of Penn
sylvania, responded to by E. ID. Farnsworth,
Esq, of Tennessee, Most Worthy Grand
Sire OF the Grand Lodge of the United
States-after which James L. Ridgeiy, Esq,
of Baltimore, Grand Secretary of the Grand
Lodge of the United States, delivered an Or
alton on American Odd Fellowship--its
Origin, History and Development. The
procession was formed soon after noon, en-
bracing about twenty thousand members
,of the Order in regala, from all parts of the
country, and accompanied by flags and ban
ners, and an unbroken stream of music
Business was generally suspended. and the
city thronged with visitors. Innumerable
flags fiuttered in the breeze from balconies,
windows, and house-tops, while myriads OF
handkerchiefs were waved by the ladies as
the grand pageant moved over the designa
ted route Exercises were held in the eve
ming at the Academy of Music when con-
gratulatory address was delivered by Past
Grand Master William L. Ford, and also an
able and stirring address by Past Grand
Master Rev. w. Meredith, of New Jersey,
eulogistic of the order.
On the Goth of April, 1919, Thomas Viii
dey, an Englishman by birth, and resident
of Baltimore, organized in that city the first
lodge in the United States. During its in
fancy, the progress Of the order was slow;
but after the organization of the Grand
Lodges of Pennsylvania in 1923, and of the
United States, in 1925, its growth became
very rapid and constant. Its prosperity has
never been greater than at present, and the
rapid increase of its membership is perhaps
the best evidence that it is honorably carry
ing out its mission.
The annual report made to the Grand
Lodge of the United States to the 30th Of
June last, shows total number of g. 1875
lodges, of which Pennsylvania has 526,
Ohio 353, Illinois ESQ., Indiana 275, Mary
land Sc, and the District l5 The number
of limitations were &C, 900 reflections 4, 5I4';
admitted by card, 7,205; withdrawn by card,
S,095; reinstated, a, 259; suspended, ii, 300;
expulsions, S9S; deaths, 1922; members,
245, ,O36; members relieved, 81, Al wild
owed families relieved, 3,9ll amount paid
for the relief of brothers, S45S, 53S, As; paid
for relief of widowed families, $l13, ,275. OF !;
paid for education of orphans, Sl9, ,957.26; ;
paid for burying the dead, Sl03, 272. 80.
Total amount expended for relief, SO,
| 95l. .66.
The report of the patriarchial branch of
! the order to the same date shows total of
795 encampments, and swells the annual re-
lief extended to nearly million of dollars.
During the half century of its existence
the order in the United States alone has ex-
pended $50, l53, ,592 for the relief of the
sick. assistance of widows and orphans, and
burying the dead. The number of reliefs to
members reached 6S4, lS9, and in addition
80, lSS widowed families were benefited by
the fund.